Lieutenant (Junior Grade)
FREMONT HARRISON BAXTER
U.S. Naval Reserve
Pilot
Composite Squadron VT-37
NAVY CROSS
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington
The President of the United States takes pride in
Presenting the NAVY CROSS to
FREMONT HARRISON BAXTER, LIEUTENANT (JUNIOR GRADE)
UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
"For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as the pilot of a torpedo bomber in operations against superior enemy surface units threatening our forces in Leyte Gulf. While serving aboard the escort carrier, U.S.S. Sangamon on 25 October 1944, after scoring a torpedo hit on an enemy heavy cruiser east of Samar Island, he obtained vital tactical information on the enemy force and delivered it to the officer in tactical command. He then led an attack on another enemy heavy cruiser north of Samar and inflicted two damaging hits. These actions were carried out in a conspicuously heroic manner. By pressing home these aggressive attacks in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire with perseverence, skill and courage, his actions were greatly instrumental in the defeat of the enemy. His outstanding conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States."
For the President,
/s/ James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy