Paul Vincent Byrne

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Paul Vincent Byrne, Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade], U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VT-83), embarked from the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese Fleet units at the Kure Naval Base, Honshu, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Participating in an attack on major ships of the enemy Fleet, including aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers, Lieutenant Byrne pressed home his attack in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire to score a direct hit on an enemy aircraft carrier. His skill, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0807 (July 6, 1945)