The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Harold Nathan Funk, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Leader of a Three-Plane Division in Fighting Squadron TWENTY-THREE (VF-23), during an engagement with thirty-two twin-engined enemy Japanese bombers with escorting fighters which were heading for an attack on our shipping in Leyte Gulf, on 24 October 1944. Skillfully attacking this numerically superior force, Commander Funk personally shot down FOUR bombers and one fighter while his Division mates destroyed three more enemy aircraft and so disrupted the enemy formation that other friendly planes were able to destroy the remaining planes. At another time, he aided in destroying a large number of enemy planes on the ground. By his courage and leadership, he contributed greatly to the success of our forces in this area and his devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.