The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Frederic Wistar Morris Janney, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Flight Leader in Torpedo Squadron THIRTEEN (VT-13), attached to the U.S.S. FRANKLIN (CV-13), during action against enemy Japanese Fleet units in the Battle for Leyte Gulf, on 25 October 1944. A daring and intrepid leader, Lieutenant Janney braved withering hostile anti-aircraft fire and intense fighter opposition to launch a smashing aerial glide-bombing attack against the enemy and, by his relentless determination and indomitable courage, succeeded in scoring a direct bomb hit on a Japanese aircraft carrier and in directing his command in the infliction of extensive damage on the enemy in this decisive battle. His superb skill as an airman and brilliant combat tactics throughout this period intense aerial activity reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Janney and the United States Naval Service.