The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant David Clark Caldwell, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scout Dive Bomber and Flight Leader in Bombing Squadron SEVEN (VB-7), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in action against enemy Japanese forces in Philippine waters during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 26 October 1944. While serving as leader of a flight of carrier-based bombing planes, Lieutenant Caldwell spotted an enemy heavy cruiser on the Sulu Sea, directed an attack and scored direct hits against the enemy surface vessel. In spite of intense anti-aircraft fire, he attacked with such coolness, daring and judgment that not only he, but the majority of his flight hit the enemy cruiser and left it sinking and burning. Lieutenant Caldwell’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.