Leslie Edward Gehres

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Leslie Edward Gehres, Captain, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. FRANKLIN (CV-13), which was striking the Japanese home islands in the vicinity of Kobe, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Captain Gehres’ ship was struck by enemy bombs which caused tremendous fires and explosions among a large number of fully armed and fueled planes both on the flight deck and in the hangar. Although handicapped by severe damage to his ship’s fire-fighting equipment and communications system, Captain Gehres displayed outstanding resourcefulness in directing the measures which eventually brought the fires under control, got power back to his ship, and enabled her to be withdrawn from a position close aboard a hostile coast. The conduct of Captain Gehres throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 341 (August 1945)