Daniel Fletcher Smith, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Daniel Fletcher Smith, Jr., Commander, U.S. Navy, 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 TWENTY (VF-20), embarked from the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippines on 25 October 1944. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.