The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Kent Rhyne Smith (NSN: 0-368125), 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 TWENTY-THREE (VT-23), attached to the U.S.S. LANGLEY (CV-27), in action against enemy Japanese forces near Kyushu, Japan, on 7 April 1945. Despite adverse weather conditions and in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, Ensign Smith skillfully and courageously piloted his plane in a successful torpedo attack on a light cruiser, scoring a direct torpedo hit which contributed materially to the sinking of the vessel immediately after the attack. His airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.