The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Robert Charles Fallgatter, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron TWENTY (VF-20), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle for Leyte Gulf, on 24 and 25 October 1944. A daring and intrepid airman, Lieutenant Fallgatter braved withering anti-aircraft fire to launch numerous smashing attacks against major units of the Japanese fleet and, by his determination and courage, succeeded in obtaining several rocket and strafing hits on a hostile destroyer and in scoring a direct bomb hit on a Japanese battleship. His superb skill as an airman, resolute fighting spirit and brilliant combat tactics throughout reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Fallgatter and the United States Naval Service.