Walter Fred Rodee

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Walter Fred Rodee, Commander, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane and Group Commander of Air Group EIGHT (AG-8), embarked from the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), during the engagement with enemy Japanese naval and air forces near the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.