Joseph Cady

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Joseph Cady, Lieutenant [then 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 Composite Squadron EIGHTY-ONE (VC-81), embarked from the U.S.S. NATOMA BAY (CVE-62), while engaging a strong enemy Japanese Fleet in the Battle of Samar Island off the east coast of the Philippine Islands on 25 October 1944. When our carrier forces were under attack by major units of the Japanese Navy, Lieutenant Cady carried out an unsupported torpedo attack against a group of enemy heavy cruisers in company with two other planes. Despite a withering barrage of anti-aircraft fire from the hostile warships, he contributed to the infliction of damage on the leading cruiser at a time when the enemy ships were shelling our escort carriers. His gallant fighting spirit and intrepid actions upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.