Roger Stanley Boles

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Roger Stanley Boles (0-86062), Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VF-19) embarked from the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), while assigned to strike major Japanese Fleet Units on 24 October 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in the Philippine Islands. As leader of the fighter cover and support of a strike, Lieutenant Boles flew through hazardous weather over enemy territory to an inland sea area of the Philippine Islands where he led his group in strafing attacks that enabled the bomber and torpedo aircraft that he was escorting to hit and severely damage a battleship and three cruisers. He strafed two battleships and a destroyer from a level of 100 feet, which were firing intense and accurate anti-aircraft, and perceptibly reduced the amount of fire and its accuracy, thus enabling the bombing and Torpedo Planes to complete their attack. Lieutenant Boles outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0765 (October 30, 1944)