The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Henry Henderson Hale, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Air Officer on board the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. FRANKLIN (CV-13), which was striking the Japanese home islands in the vicinity of Kobe, Japan, on 19 March 1945. When his ship was struck by enemy bombs which caused tremendous fires and explosions among a large number of fully armed and fueled planes both on the flight deck and in the hangar, Commander Hale took charge of firefighting and damage control parties on the flight deck and hangar deck. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.