The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Leroy Harry Grau, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Leader of a Division in Torpedo Squadron ELEVEN (VT-11), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action against the enemy Japanese Fleet in the Battle off Samar, on 25 October 1944. Courageously leading his division on a hazardous strike against enemy combatant vessels, Lieutenant Grau aggressively pressed home his daring attacks and, in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, scored a direct bomb hit on an enemy battleship. By his superb airmanship and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of extremely perilous conditions, Lieutenant Grau contributed materially to the success of the mission, and his exceptional skill and inspiring courage throughout reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.