The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Gregory Kasson Loesch (MCSN: 0-7510), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-121), Marine Air Group FOURTEEN (MAG-14), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Guadalcanal Area of the Solomon Islands from 9 October 1942 to 5 January 1943. During this prolonged series of intense enemy activities, First Lieutenant Loesch, participating both as wingman and division leader in numerous hazardous patrols, fighter sweeps and attacks, displayed superb airmanship against great odds. As a result of his outstanding professional skill and unfaltering determination, he successfully destroyed six hostile planes in the first part of the period. Later, while patrolling over TF67, the four-plane fighter division commanded by First Lieutenant Loesch shot down four enemy dive bombers and a Zero, he himself accounting for one of the planes. His dauntless courage and valiant devotion to duty under extremely adverse conditions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.