The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Eric Thorgny Franzen, Jr. (NSN: 0-156953), 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), in aerial operations against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, on 25 October 1944. Unsupported by diversionary bombing and strafing, Lieutenant Franzen plunged through intense enemy anti-aircraft fire to close the range and launch a determined attack on a Japanese light cruiser in conjunction with another torpedo plane. Returning to the target area after his torpedo failed to release, he again braved the heavy enemy fire to press home a second attack. Joining two other torpedo planes in a later strike against a hostile battleship, he boldly attacked in the face of an intense barrage of anti-aircraft fire and scored a probable hit on the Japanese vessel. By his courage and zealous devotion to the completion of his hazardous assignments, Lieutenant Franzen contributed materially to the success of his Squadron’s operations and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.