The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Robert Donald Cosgrove, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FIFTEEN (VT-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Formosa, Manila Harbor and in the vicinity of Luzon from 13 October to 13 November 1944. Completing his fortieth mission during this period, Lieutenant Commander Cosgrove carried out a torpedo attack on elements of the Japanese Fleet and bombed and strafed an airfield and hostile shipping, thereby contributing materially to the success of his squadron in inflicting damage on the enemy. His skilled airmanship and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Robert Donald Cosgrove, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FIFTEEN (VT-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, on 12 September 1944. Participating in a daring strike against a concentration of enemy shipping, Lieutenant Commander Cosgrove skillfully pressed home his determined attacks in the face of fierce anti-aircraft fire, scoring a direct hit to sink an enemy merchant ship. By his superb airmanship, courage and tenacious devotion to duty throughout this hazardous engagement, Lieutenant Commander Cosgrove contributed materially to the ultimate success of our forces in this strategic area and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.