Ensign
RUSSELL E. BROWN
U.S. Naval Reserve
Pilot
Composite Squadron VC-76
NAVY CROSS
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington
The President of the United States takes pride in
Presenting the NAVY CROSS to
RUSSELL E. BROWN, ENSIGN
UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
"For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession. Ensign Brown, as one of a flight of six fighter-plane pilots, boldly attacked a large task force of the Japanese Imperial Navy near the Island of Leyte, Central Philippine Islands on 25 October 1944. The strike was made without the aid of surface craft and in the face of an intense barrage of anti- aircraft fire. The smallness of their numbers rendered each plane a conspicuous target, yet despite the overwhelming odds, ensign Brown lashed the enemy force with grim determination and with utter disregard for his personal safety. The strike, in which he participated so valiantly, resulted in diverting an enormous quantity of anti-aircraft fire that would have been hurled at the torpedo planes which followed. His action greatly enhanced the success of the torpedo attacks in which severe damage was inflicted upon capital ships of the Japanese Imperial Navy, and materially contributed to the retreat of the enemy fleet. His 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