Leroy Lester Laz

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to LeRoy Lester Laz, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier- based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron FOURTEEN (VB-14, embarked from the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), while participating in an aerial attack against a Japanese task force on 25 October 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Sea. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Laz’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and disregard of personal safety was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.