The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Richard Beck Walters, 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 of a Flight of Torpedo Squadron ONE (VT-1), attached to the U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20), in action against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet at Kure Naval Base on 28 July 1945. Undaunted by intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from numerous warships and strategically located shore batteries, Lieutenant Walters courageously led his division in an aggressive glide-bombing attack at low altitude against a heavy cruiser to score multiple hits and inflict extensive damage on the enemy vessel. After releasing his bombs, he pressed home strafing runs against a large enemy freighter and, through his valiant efforts, contributed materially to the success of an epic strike in which all capital ships of the Japanese Fleet at Kure were sunk or damaged. By his airmanship, bold initiative and gallant fighting spirit, Lieutenant Walters upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.