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Navy Federal Credit Union

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] Leonard Gordon Muskin, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FIFTEEN (VT-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. Skillfully piloting his plane through intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Muskin made a glide-bombing attack on an enemy battleship, obtaining a direct hit and inflicting damage on a major unit of the enemy Fleet. His courage, leadership and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]

    Batallion:

    Torpedo Squadron 15 (VT-15)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)

    Action Date:

    October 24, 1944
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0451 (December 17, 1944) & Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 338 (May 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Leonard Gordon Muskin, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FIFTEEN (VT-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 24 October 1944. In the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from all hostile ships, Lieutenant Muskin relentlessly pressed home his attack through the screen, scoring a hit from close range on a large battleship. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.