Kenneth George Hippe

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Kenneth George Hippe, Lieutenant, 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 THREE (VC-3), embarked from the U.S.S. KALININ BAY (CVE-68), and deployed over Samar in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands on 25 October 1944. Lieutenant Hippe’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.