Thomas Joseph Woodruff

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Thomas Joseph Woodruff, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, 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 (VF-20), embarked from the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action on 24 and 25 October 1944, during the Battle of 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.