The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Boatswain Paul Leroy Bowen (NSN: 199265), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as Flight Deck Boatswain aboard the Light Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against the enemy on 25 November 1944, off the coast of the Philippine Islands. Chief Boatswain Bowen remained on his post under intense strafing attacks by enemy aircraft. After a violent explosion occurred near him he organized fire-fighting parties and personally led them in the extinguishing of fires in a bomb-laddened Torpedo Plane. Although injured by shrapnel, he heroically continued under further attack to direct fire fighting on the flight deck with disregard for his own personal safety. His inspiring leadership was instrumental in restoring the flight deck to operational status. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.