The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Hazen Bradford Rand (NSN: 0-166831), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Radar Operator of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron THREE (VT-3), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), the first night fighter section of aircraft to operate from a carrier at night against enemy aircraft, although he well knew the hazard involved. On the night of 26 November 1943, when the Task Group containing his parent vessel was under threat of imminent attack by Japanese aircraft off Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, he took off as a member of this night fighter section, which with unswerving devotion to duty and extraordinary skill intercepted the largest group of enemy aircraft, thereby effectively breaking up that phase of the attack. His skill and his extraordinary heroism contributed greatly to the success of his section and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.