Eugene R. Hanson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Eugene R. Hanson, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), embarked from the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands during the period 16 September 1942 through 23 October 1942. On 16 September, as part of a group which launched an attack against hostile surface units off Gizo Island, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hanson contributed to the scoring of a torpedo hit on a Japanese cruiser. On 24 September, in company with two dive bombers, he participated in a raid against enemy destroyers which were putting troops ashore at Cape Esperance and scored one probable hit with a 500-pound bomb. On 10 October he piloted a Torpedo Plane in a striking force against two light cruisers and four destroyers about 170 miles off Guadalcanal. On 12 October, while attacking two heavy cruisers, he scored a direct hit on one of the enemy vessels. During a night attack on 23 October, he released twelve 100-pound bombs on Japanese troop concentrations to the west of our lines on Guadalcanal. Shot down by enemy gunfire during this engagement, he effected a successful crash-landing about one mile off shore, thus enabling himself and his crew to swim to a point beyond our front lines. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hanson’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 315 (June 1943)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Eugene R. Hanson, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier- based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), embarked from the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Eastern Solomon Islands on 24 August 1942. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.