Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (junior grade)

Unit:

8th Bombing Fighting Squadron (VBF-85), U.S.S. Shangri-La (CV-38), 2nd Carrier Task Force U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

October 12th, 1945

"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert William Hite (NSN: 0-347117), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Bombing Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE (VBF-85), attached to the U.S.S. SHANGRI-LA (CV-38), during a strike at enemy Japanese Naval Forces, near Kure Harbor, Honshu, Japan, on 24 July 1945. Displaying great daring and airmanship despite intense and extremely accurate anti-aircraft fire from enemy ship and shore installations, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hite pressed home his attack and scored a direct hit with a 1,000-pound bomb on the enemy cruiser, TONE. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hite's courage and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service."

Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 02067