The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Jesse Leonard Curtright, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Composite Squadron SEVENTY-SIX (VC-76), attached to the U.S.S. PETROF BAY (CVE-80), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle off Samar, on 25 October 1944. Participating in the initial strike at dawn against the Japanese Task Force, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Curtright executed a series of hazardous strafing attacks against the hostile vessels, fearlessly defying intense anti-aircraft fire in a desperate attempt to render aid to our Fleet units which were being subjected to fierce shellfire attack by the enemy ships. By his initiative, courage and devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Curtright upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.