Leonard Ernest Waldrop

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Leonard Ernest Waldrop, 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 SIXTY-FIVE (VC-65), embarked from the U.S.S. ST. LO (CVE-63), during action against major Japanese forces during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. Flying in the face of intense antiaircraft fire which seriously damaged his plane, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Waldrop pressed home six attacks on an enemy cruiser without the support of other aircraft. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Waldrop and the United States Naval Service.