The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Aviation Machinist’s Mate First Class Albert Anthony Francovich (NSN: 2436082), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as a Patrol Plane Captain in combat with the enemy on 6 September 1942, during the Solomon Islands Campaign. In an aerial engagement with a Japanese KAWANISHI four-engine flying boat he manned the starboard waist gun of his plane with telling effect, putting the port waist gun of the enemy out of commission. He continued to man his gun, although mortally wounded, until the end of the engagement and gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.