The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to George Emil Kemper, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane, in action on 26 October 1944, during the Air Battle for Leyte Gulf. Lieutenant Kemper led a flight of planes in a torpedo attack without fighter escort on a heavy cruiser. Despite a heavy concentration of antiaircraft fire and the speedy maneuvering of the target, he not only scored a direct hit himself, but also maneuvered the flight so that there were three hits out of seven torpedoes launched, which resulted in the enemy ship’s probable sinking. Lieutenant Kemper’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

View Kemper’s Navy Cross.