The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Russell Jack Baas (NSN: 0-351087), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight in operations against the Japanese Fleet on 7 April 1945, in the East China Sea. As a member of a flight of Torpedo Bombers he participated in a squadron low level coordinated torpedo attack against major units of a Task Force of the enemy fleet including a battleship, cruisers, and destroyers. During the action he attacked the enemy battleship. He pressed home his attack to minimum torpedo dropping range, dropping his torpedo and passed directly over the battleship. The Japanese battleship maneuvered radically causing his torpedo to miss, but in so doing was forced to turn toward the other members of his attack group who scored four damaging hits. His courage and skill in carrying out with perfect timing the pre-arranged plan was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Russell Jack Baas (NSN: 0-351087), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy while serving as a pilot of a carrier based torpedo bomber plane in a carrier strike against major units of the Japanese fleet at Kure Naval Base, Honshu, on 28 July 1945. He skillfully piloted his aircraft in a glide bombing attack on an enemy cruiser. During this action, in the face of anti-aircraft fire, he scored a direct hit with his bomb which contributed to the damage to the cruiser. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.