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, Junior Grade Vincent Patrick O’Rourke (NSN: 0-320529), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FORTY-SEVEN (VT-47), attached to the U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL-29), in action against powerful units of the Japanese Fleet at Kure Harbor, Honshu Island, Japan, on 28 July 1945. Braving intense and accurate anti-aircraft gunfire from shore batteries and several Naval units in the vicinity, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, O’Rourke vigorously pressed home an attack against the enemy heavy cruiser TONE and, despite a heavy barrage of protective gunfire from the vessel, succeeded in scoring two hits on the port quarter and amidships abaft the stacks. His courage and devotion to duty contributed materially to her sinking immediately after the attack and 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 the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Vincent Patrick O’Rourke (NSN: 0-320529), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FORTY-SEVEN (VT-47), attached to the U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL-29), in action on 19 March 1945, in action against units of the Japanese Fleet in Kobe Bay, Honshu, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Skillfully maneuvering to locate his target under a heavy enemy smoke screen, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, O’Rourke launched an attack on a large Japanese carrier and, in the face of intense hostile anti-aircraft fire, scored several direct hits on the vessel. By his courage under fire, skilled airmanship and determination in the completion of his mission, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, O’Rourke contributed materially to the success of the attack in removing a menace to our own Fleet operations. His devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.