The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Frank William Blake (NSN: 0-325981), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron EIGHTEEN (VB-18), attached to the U.S.S. INTREPID (CV-11), in action on 24 October 1944, during the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea. Ensign Blake participated in an attack which contributed materially to the annihilation of an enemy battleship, in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire. The action he was part of removed a serious threat to our ground forces in the Philippine Islands. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.