The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Howard Stowe Roberts (NSN: 0-77602), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World war II. Ordered to relieve another plane attacking a hostile submarine, Lieutenant Commander Roberts located the damaged enemy ship in the act of surfacing and attacked with depth charges, which straddled the craft half-way between the stern and the conning tower. He prevented the crew of the disabled vessel from manning their guns and effected their capture.
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Awards Received
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Torpedo Squadron 14 (VT-14)Division:
U.S.S. Wasp (CV-18)Action Date:
October 25, 1944
Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01229 (February 6, 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Howard Stowe Roberts (NSN: 0-77602), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FOURTEEN (VT-14), attached to the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), while participating in an aerial attack against a Japanese task force on 25 October 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Sea. Lieutenant Commander Roberts led his flight of torpedo planes on an attack mission against enemy surface forces consisting of thirteen to fifteen ships, including battleships, cruisers and destroyers, which had our forces under attack in the vicinity of Samar Island, a distance of more than 300 miles from his disposition. In the face of intense anti-aircraft fire he pressed home a vigorous and determined attack on a NAGATO battleship, scoring a direct hit on its stern with a 500-pound armor piercing bomb. His courage, skill and disregard for his own personal safety was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Torpedo Squadron 14 (VT-14)Division:
U.S.S. Wasp (CV-18)Action Date:
September 21, 1944
Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01229 (February 6, 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Howard Stowe Roberts (NSN: 0-77602), United States Naval Reserve, for gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FOURTEEN (VT-14), attached to the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), while leading a strike of carrier-based bomber, torpedo, and fighter planes in a successful attack upon enemy shipping in the vicinity of Luzon Island, on 21 September 1944. Under his capable leadership, the aircraft in his strike sank one large oiler, damaged three large oilers, two large cargo and three medium-sized cargo ships. In the face of intense anti-aircraft fire and formidable airborne opposition he delivered his attack at close range and scored a torpedo hit on a large enemy tanker which contributed largely to its sinking. His courage and disregard for his own safety were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.