Edwin William Hurst

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Edwin William Hurst, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Executive Officer of Torpedo Squadron TWO (VT-2), embarked from the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Air Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. In the face of tremendous anti- aircraft barrage and opposed by numerous fighters, Lieutenant Hurst pressed home two attacks on enemy aircraft carriers, one on 7 May and one on 8 May. With complete disregard for his own safety and expert conception of the task at hand, he scored hits within short range of his objectives, contributing to the destruction of one carrier and to damage and possible destruction of the other. His persistent determination and conscientious devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 307 (Oct 1942)