The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Donald Elvin Freet, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy 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 against enemy Japanese forces during the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 25 October 1944. Braving intense anti-aircraft fire to press home a vigorous dive-bombing attack, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Freet succeeded in scoring a hit on an enemy carrier. By his outstanding airmanship and courageous fighting spirit, he aided in removing a serious threat to our ground forces in the Philippines, and his unwavering devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.