The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Joseph Brokaw Geisler, United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity 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 Geisler succeeded ins coring a hit on a large enemy carrier, thereby contributing to the annihilation of a carrier Task Force. His outstanding ability as an airman, courage and devotion to the fulfillment of a vital assignment, reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Geisler and the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Joseph Brokaw Geisler, United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity 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 24 October 1944. Braving intense anti-aircraft fire which damaged the wing of his plane, Lieutenant Geisler pressed home a vigorous dive-bombing attack to score a damaging hit on a large 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 upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.