The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Robert Witcher Copeland, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer Escort U.S.S. SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (DE-413), in a surface action with a large task force of the Japanese Fleet off the Island of Samar, in Philippine waters, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. Against an enemy force vastly superior in numbers, armament and armor, with cool deliberation Lieutenant Commander Copeland closed to within 4,000 yards of a heavy cruiser to deliver a torpedo attack on the rapidly advancing enemy who had taken him under fire from their large caliber guns. By his heroic action, he thus diverted enemy fire to himself from the almost defenseless vessels which he was protecting. Although his ship was lost in this engagement, his heroic actions were instrumental in turning back, sorely crippled, a vastly superior enemy force. His extraordinary courage and magnificent fighting spirit in the face of terrific odds will live forever in the memory of the officers and men who served with him that day. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.