Lawrence F. Steffenhagen

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lawrence F. Steffenhagen, Lieutenant Commander, 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 EIGHTY-SIX (VT-86), embarked from the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), in action on 19 March 1945, while deployed in the Pacific War Area. 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 Lawrence F. Steffenhagen, Lieutenant Commander, 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 TWO (VT-2), embarked from the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Air Battle of the Coral Sea. In spite of heavy antiaircraft fire and strong fighter opposition, Lieutenant Steffenhagen pressed home an attack against an enemy aircraft carrier to within the dangerously short range of a few hundred yards of the target. He was able to score a hit on the enemy ship by utter disregard for his own safety and determination in carrying out his mission. Contributing to the destruction of the enemy carrier and to the success of our forces in the Coral Sea Battle, he conducted himself on this occasion in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 308 (November 1942)