Louis J. Kirn’s Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Louis Joseph Kirn (NSN: 0-71479/1310), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane and Commanding Officer of Scouting Squadron THREE (VS-3), attached to the U.S.S. SARATOGA (CV-3), in action against enemy surface forces in the Solomon Islands area between 16 September 1942 and 5 October 1942. While acting in the capacity as Squadron Commander, Lieutenant Commander Kirn displayed undaunted courage and intrepidity in leading his squadron to engage the enemy. On the morning of 16 September 1942, he led a striking force of dive bombers and torpedo planes against enemy surface vessels scoring one torpedo hit and many near misses with bombs. On the afternoon of the same day he led a striking force of dive bombers against an enemy light cruiser scoring four near misses with 1,000 pound bombs. On 25 September 1942, he led a striking force of dive bombers in an attack on four destroyers off Cape Esperance, scoring near misses and one probable hit. On 5 October 1942, he led a striking force of dive bombers on six destroyers about twenty-five miles north of Russell Islands, personally scoring a direct hit with a 1,000 pound bomb on one of the destroyers, causing it to sink within five minutes. In all of the foregoing contacts the attack was driven home despite heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire, and with the utmost disregard for his personal safety. His actions at all times were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.