Richard Sims Bates

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Richard Sims Bates, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier- based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron THIRTEEN (VT-13), embarked from the U.S.S. FRANKLIN (CV-13), during action against enemy Japanese Fleet units in the Battle for Leyte Gulf on 24 October 1944. A daring and intrepid airman, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bates dauntlessly braved withering hostile antiaircraft fire to launch a smashing aerial torpedo attack against the enemy and, by his relentless determination and indomitable courage, succeeded in scoring a devastating hit on a Japanese battleship. His superb skill as an airman, resolute fighting spirit and brilliant combat tactics throughout this period of intense aerial activity reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Bates and the United States Naval Service.