The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Ashley “R” Hodges, 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 FIFTEEN (VT-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, on 25 October 1944. Skillfully piloting his plane in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hodges pressed home his attack to score a direct bomb hit on a large carrier, thereby contributing to its eventual sinking. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.