The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Robert Leonard Howard, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane of Scouting Squadron SEVENTY-ONE (VS-71), attached to the U.S.S. WASP (CV-7), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands, on 8 August 1942. Viciously attacked by four ZERO fighters while participating in a bombing mission, Lieutenant Howard, with grim tenacity and superb flying skill, defied a blistering hail of anti-aircraft fire in a desperate fight against tremendous odds. Out-maneuvering the enemy flyers in a determined effort to escape, he shot one down in a courageous head-on approach, then successfully eluded the others with only minor damage inflicted upon his own plane. His expert airmanship and aggressive fighting spirit in the face of grave danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.