Vincent Patrick O’Rourke

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Vincent Patrick O’Rourke, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, 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 FORTY-SEVEN (VT-47), embarked from the U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL-29), in action on 24 July 1945, while deployed over Kure Harbor, 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.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Vincent Patrick O’Rourke, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, 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 FORTY-SEVEN (VT-47), embarked from the U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL-29), in action on 19 March 1945, while deployed over Honshu, 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.