The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Richard Edward Fowler, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese surface forces over the Sibuyan Sea during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands on 25 October 1944. In the face of heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Fowler participated in a vigorous and determined attack on enemy ships, pressing home his attack to low altitude and making a direct hit on a Japanese battleship, contributing to the sinking of that enemy warship. Undaunted in the face of relentless, devastating anti-aircraft fire, he rendered gallant service during the bitterly fought engagement in which all carriers, a light cruiser and a destroyer of the enemy’s task force were sunk and heavy bomb and torpedo damage inflicted on battleships and other important naval units. By his daring airmanship, exceptional courage and steadfast devotion to duty through a perilous assignment, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Fowler contributed materially to the sinking of this valuable enemy fighting unit and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.