The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Leonard M. Wearman (NSN: 0-390697), 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 SIX (VF-6), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19),
in a strike against major units of the enemy fleet, including aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers, in Kure Harbor, Japan, on 24 July 1945. During the action Ensign Wearman attacked a large enemy carrier in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire from enemy warships and shore batteries. He scored a direct hit with his bomb which contributed materially to heavy and extensive damage to this warship. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.