Robert Francis Thomas

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Robert Francis Thomas, Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron TWENTY-ONE (VF-21), embarked from the U.S.S. BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), in action on 15 and 25 October 1944, during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.