The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Edward Allen Heflin, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron EIGHTEEN (VB-18), attached to the U.S.S. INTREPID (CV-11), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle for Leyte Gulf, on 24 October 1944. A fearless and intrepid airman, Lieutenant Commander Heflin bravely faced terrific anti-aircraft fire to launch his attack against a Japanese battleship and, skillfully maneuvering for maximum striking power, dropped his bomb load at perilously low altitude to score a damaging hit on this vital man-o-war and remove a serious threat to our ground forces in their sustained advance to recapture the Philippines. By his daring combat tactics, unwavering spirit and cool courage, maintained against tremendous odds, Lieutenant Commander Heflin contributed materially to the success of our forces in the complete defeat and rout of the enemy in this bitterly-fought engagement and his valiant devotion to duty throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.