Hayden Martin Jensen

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Hayden Martin Jensen, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FIVE (VF-5), embarked from the U.S.S. SARATOGA (CV-3), in action on 26 August 1942, while deployed over the Solomon Islands. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Hayden Martin Jensen, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FIVE (VF-5), embarked from the U.S.S. SARATOGA (CV-3), in action against enemy Japanese forces while deployed over Guadalcanal and Tulagi, in the Solomon Islands, on 7 August 1942. Pursuing his targets through bursting shells of his own antiaircraft fire, Lieutenant Jensen attacked a flight of eleven Japanese dive bombers which were intent upon raiding our transport and other surface vessels in the Solomon Islands, personally shooting down two of them. Lieutenant Jensen’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)