The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Matthew Charles O’Hearn, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Gunnery Officer aboard the Destroyer U.S.S. EVANS (DD-552), in action against the enemy on 11 May 1945, off Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands. During a savage Japanese suicide attack Lieutenant O’Hearn controlled his guns with such superb skill and inspiring courage that they destroyed fifteen enemy planes and assisted in the destruction of four more. At the end of the engagement, with light, power, and water pressure lost, he assumed the duties of the critically wounded Executive Officer and by his exceptional leadership contributed greatly to the saving of his ship. His heroic conduct, inspiring leadership, and devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming enemy attack were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.