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 James William Walden (NSN: 0-145514), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Division Leader in Torpedo Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VT-83), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in the Fleet action in the East China Sea, on 7 April 1945. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Walden skillfully and courageously led his division in a low-level coordinated torpedo attack against major units of a Task Force of the enemy fleet including a battleship, cruisers and destroyers. During the action he attacked the enemy battleship, in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, scoring a direct hit with his torpedo to contribute materially to the sinking of the vessel. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and 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 James William Walden (NSN: 0-145514), 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 EIGHTY-THREE (VT-83), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in the coordinated bombing attack against enemy Japanese Fleet units at the Kure Naval Base, Honshu, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Walden skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft in a bombing attack against major units of the enemy Fleet including aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers. During the action he attacked an enemy carrier in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, scoring a direct hit with his bomb which contributed materially to the damage inflicted on the vessel. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.