The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Joseph John Paskoski (NSN: 0-116524), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane of Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VF-19), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Formosa and Philippine islands Areas, from 12 to 24 October 1944. Intercepting a numerically superior group of hostile fighters while making a sweep against Japanese forces over Formosa, Lieutenant Commander Paskoski aggressively attacked, shooting four craft flaming to the ground, seriously damaging another, and contributing materially to the destruction of a major portion of the formation. During the savagely fought Battle for Leyte Gulf, Lieutenant Commander Paskoski demolished a float plane over Japanese surface units and heroically dived through heavy anti-aircraft fire to deliver accurate low-level strafing attacks upon the enemy Fleet, enabling our bomber and torpedo forces to inflict crippling blows to these surface units. By his superb airmanship, daring initiative and expert marksmanship, Lieutenant Commander Paskoski rendered invaluable service to his squadron during a critical battle. His valiant fighting spirit and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.