The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Owen DeWitt Young (NSN: 0-130478), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Night Fighting Squadron NINETY (VF(N)-90), in attacks against Kyushu, on 12 May 1945. Lieutenant Young shot down an enemy fighter at night after tenaciously pursuing the Japanese plane over enemy territory without the assistance of fighter direction. By skillfully and courageously pressing home low altitude attacks a few minutes later, he was successful in shooting down three enemy float planes and assisting in the kill of another. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.