Samuel Joseph Brocato, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Samuel Joseph Brocato, Jr., Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Wing Man on the Leader of two Fighter Planes in Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VF-83), embarked from the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa on 6 April 1945. Maintaining a vigorous combat air patrol over our Task Force operating in this dangerous area, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Brocato initiated an attack against nine hostile fighter planes and personally succeeded in destroying four of them. By his gallant fighting spirit and devotion to duty in the face of greatly superior numbers, he contributed materially to the success of our operations and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0960 (July 6, 1945)