(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Ralph Emmett Foltz, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as a Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in the Northern Philippine Islands, on 22 September 1944.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Ralph Emmett Foltz, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as a Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, 19 June 1944. Executing vigorous counterattacks when our Fleet was subjected to numerous heavy enemy air raids, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Foltz destroyed two of the enemy dive bombers and assisted materially in the total destruction by his squadron of sixty-seven enemy aircraft. His airmanship and gallant fighting spirit in the face of heavy opposition reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Foltz and the United States Naval Service.