The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Harold Henry Larsen (NSN: 0-74976), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-3), during action against Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Campaign on 24 August 1942. Leading his squadron in an unsupported aerial torpedo raid against a Japanese Task Force, Lieutenant Larsen, pressing home his attack through a bursting hail of fire from hostile anti-aircraft batteries, contributed to the relentless fighting spirit and aggressive courage which enabled his squadron to score a direct hit on an enemy cruiser. His superb airmanship and fearless devotion to duty, maintained with utter disregard for his own personal safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Harold Henry Larsen (NSN: 0-74976), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), detached from the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-3), during action against enemy Japanese forces at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, during the period 16 September to 23 October 1942. While his squadron was assigned to the air force defending Guadalcanal, Lieutenant Larsen led numerous flight missions against the enemy, pressing home his attacks with unyielding determination and complete disregard for his own personal safety. On four separate occasions, he led his squadron in destructive attacks on a heavy cruiser, six light cruisers, and fourteen destroyers, scoring direct hits on the heavy cruiser and one destroyer. On three other flights, Lieutenant Larsen raided enemy installations at Cape Esperance, attacked hostile troops at positions west of the Matanikau River, and destroyed enemy howitzer positions west of our beachhead on Guadalcanal. His superb airmanship, indomitable fighting spirit, and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.