The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Howard Philip Marks, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane in Composite Squadron SEVENTY-SIX (VC-76), attached to the U.S.S. PETROF BAY (CVE-80), during operations against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the Battle for Leyte Gulf, on 25 October 1944. Participating in a six-plane fighter strike carried out without surface support, Lieutenant Marks boldly attacked the large enemy Task Force in the face of an intense barrage of anti-aircraft fire. Despite the overwhelming odds and the fact that his plane made a conspicuous target due to the small number of planes in the strike, he lashed at the enemy with grim determination and succeeded in diverting an enormous quantity of anti-aircraft fire that otherwise would have been hurled at our torpedo planes which followed him in. By his action, Lieutenant Marks contributed greatly to the success of the torpedo attacks which resulted in the infliction of extensive damage upon capital ships of the Japanese Navy. His gallant fighting spirit, coolness under fire and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.