The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Robert Aldrich Kennard, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron TWENTY-ONE (VT-21), attached to the U.S.S. BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands on 19 and 25 October 1944. Leading a raid on enemy shipping in Manila Harbor in the face of accurate enemy fire, Lieutenant Commander Kennard pressed home a vigorous attack upon the vessels, thereby contributing to the infliction of extensive damage. Braving severe anti-aircraft and shellfire to lead two separate attacks against units of the enemy fleet in the Battle for Leyte Gulf on 25 October, he delivered a low altitude and close-range attack against hostile ships without fighter cover to aid in the scoring of damaging hits on two aircraft carriers and a battleship and later struck at the remainder of the Task Force to score one and possibly two direct hits. By his outstanding ability as an airman, courage and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Commander Kennard contributed to the success of three vital missions and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.