Leo BOB Mccuddin

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Leo Bob McCuddin (NSN: 0-116827), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane of Fighting Squadron TWENTY (VF-20) attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle for Leyte Gulf, on 25 October 1944. Shifting his point of aim from an enemy battleship during a dive, Lieutenant McCuddin continued his attack and, despite a heavy concentration of anti-aircraft fire, scored a direct bomb hit, seriously damaging the battleship. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Leo Bob McCuddin (NSN: 0-116827), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane of Fighting Squadron TWENTY (VF-20) attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), on a strike against a Japanese Task Force on 25 October 1944 in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands. With complete disregard for his own personal safety and in the face of intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, he attacked with rockets and assisted in the probable destruction of an enemy destroyer. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.