The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Arthur Ray Hawkins (NSN: 0-240489/5511397), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Division Leader in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet at Kure Harbor, Japan, on 24 July 1945. Fearlessly braving intense anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Hawkins pressed home a vigorous attack against the enemy battleship ISE to score a direct hit and contribute materially to the final destruction of the hostile vessel. His expert airmanship and courageous devotion to duty 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 [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Arthur Ray Hawkins (NSN: 0-240489/5511397), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, on 21 September 1944. Daring in combat, Lieutenant Hawkins participated in the first fighter sweep against an important enemy-held airfield and by his bold tactics and fighting spirit, he succeeded in shooting down four enemy planes and in damaging a fifth. Relentlessly and determined, he pressed home a perilously low-altitude strafing run through intense anti-aircraft fire to inflict severe damage on an enemy plane parked beside the runway. His great personal valor, resourceful initiative and devotion to duty 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 [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Arthur Ray Hawkins (NSN: 0-240489/5511397), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, on 13 September 1944. Participating in a pre-dawn take-off to strike against a vastly superior number of hostile aircraft, Lieutenant Hawkins braved heavy anti-aircraft fire from ground installations and, relentlessly pressed home his attacks at perilously low altitudes through intense enemy anti-aircraft fire to shoot down five Japanese air fighters in flames and damaged an additional three airborne enemy planes. By his superb airmanship, aggressive fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty Lieutenant Hawkins contributed substantially to the success of this vital operation, thereby reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.