Stephen Walker Cushing

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Stephen Walker Cushing, Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then 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 NINE (VF-9), embarked from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-10), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the East China Sea, on 7 April 1945. Braving intense enemy anti- aircraft fire and adverse weather conditions, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Cushing pressed home a low-level bombing attack and scored a direct hit on an enemy cruiser, causing extensive damage and contributing materially to the ultimate destruction of the hostile vessel. Following this action, he strafed an enemy destroyer to silence the hostile ship’s anti-aircraft guns, thereby affording the following bombing and torpedo planes a margin of safety. His expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Cushing and the United States Naval Service.

Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0570 (July 2, 1945)