The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Leo Martin, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Section Leader in Bombing Squadron NINE (VB-9), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-10), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the East China Sea on 7 April 1945. Undaunted by intense anti-aircraft fire and a low cloud cover which obscured the target, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Martin led his section of dive-bombers in an attack against units of the enemy Fleet, including a battleship, a cruiser and screening destroyers, and personally scored direct hits just aft of amidships on the cruiser. By his timely attack he aided in clearing the decks of enemy gunfire and in allowing other planes to destroy the vessel. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Martin’s airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.