Billy Hubert Dye

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Billy Hubert Dye, 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 Torpedo Squadron TWENTY-ONE (VT-21), embarked from the U.S.S. BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands during the Battle for Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. Braving intense antiaircraft fire to press home an attack against units of the enemy fleet, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Dye skillfully maneuvered his plane into an advantageous position to score three direct and damaging hits upon a hostile aircraft carrier. By his outstanding ability as an airman, courage and devotion to duty, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Dye contributed to the infliction of costly damage upon the enemy and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.