Leonard R. Swanson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Leonard R. Swanson, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron NINETEEN (VB-19), embarked from the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), on 24 October 1944, 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.