Abe Forsythe, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Abe Forsythe, Jr., Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane in Composite Squadron SEVENTY-SIX (VC-76), embarked from the U.S.S. PETROF BAY (CVE-80), and deployed over Samar in the Philippine Islands, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Air Battle of Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. Lieutenant Forsythe participated in the first strike of the day on the enemy task force off the coast of Samar, and executed bold strafing attacks in the face of intense antiaircraft fire in a desperate attempt to render aid to our own CVEs which were being shelled by the Japanese ships. Although he knew that his .50 caliber guns could do little damage to the armor of the capital ships, he made his runs with courage and audacity. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.