The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Allen Brody (NSN: 0-315601), 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 FORTY-FOUR (VT-44), attached to the U.S.S. LANGLEY (CV-27), while participating in an aerial torpedo attack against a Japanese task force on 25 October 1944, in the Philippine Sea. Ensign Brody pressed home his attack in the face of intense and heavy anti-aircraft fire from the battleships and escorting cruisers and destroyers. He scored a direct hit on a Japanese battleship inflicting thereby material damage to a major fleet unit. This attack was made in conjunction with six other Torpedo Planes without benefit of diversionary bombing or strafing by our forces. His conduct, achievement, and disregard of personal safety was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.