Daniel Stephen Kalus

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Daniel Stephen Kalus, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron SEVEN (VB-7), embarked from the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in action against enemy Japanese surface forces in Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, on 29 October 1944. Skillfully maneuvering through a deadly barrage of antiaircraft fire, Lieutenant Kalus made a perilously low-level attack on an enemy NACHI-class heavy cruiser. He made a devastating hit on the warship which was subsequently sunk, thereby contributing to the crippling of the enemy surface forces in Manila Bay. Lieutenant Kalus’ 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. 344 (November 1945)