Thomas H. Jenkins

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Thomas H. Jenkins, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier- based Navy Combat Plane and Commanding Officer of Air Group TWENTY-TWO (AG-22), embarked from the U.S.S. COWPENS (CVL-25), in action against the Japanese on 26 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.