Donald Wesley Henkel

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Donald Wesley Henkel, Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier- based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron TWENTY-THREE (VF-23), embarked from the U.S.S. LANGLEY (CV-27), in action on 29 March 1945, while deployed over Kyushu, Japan. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.