Joseph D. Mcgraw

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Joseph D. McGraw, Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane in Composite Squadron TEN (VC-10), embarked from the U.S.S. GAMBIER BAY (CVE-73), in action on 24 October 1944, while deployed over Samar 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.