The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Russell E. Brown (NSN: 0-306443), 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), in action against enemy Japanese forces near the Island of Leyte, Central Philippine Islands, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. Ensign Brown, as one of a flight of six fighter-plane pilots, boldly attacked a large task force of the Japanese Imperial Navy in a strike made without the aid of surface craft and in the face of an intense barrage of anti-aircraft fire. The smallness of their numbers rendered each plane a conspicuous target, yet despite the overwhelming odds, Ensign Brown lashed the enemy force with grim determination and with utter disregard for his personal safety. The strike, in which he participated so valiantly, resulted in diverting an enormous quantity of anti-aircraft fire that would have been hurled at the Torpedo Planes which followed. His action greatly enhanced the success of the torpedo attacks in which severe damage was inflicted upon capital ships of the Japanese Imperial Navy, and materially contributed to the retreat of the enemy fleet. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.