Robert Downing Chaffe

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Robert Downing Chaffe, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane embarked from the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), and deployed over Samar in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, on 25 October 1944, in the Philippine Islands. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Chaffe’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.