The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Henry Evans Smith, Jr. (NSN: 0-146146), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron FOURTEEN (VB-14, attached to the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), while participating in an aerial attack against Japanese Fleet units on 25 October 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Sea. Assigned a heavy Japanese cruiser as target, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Smith pressed a cool and deliberate attack to a low altitude and scored a direct hit amidships. His attack was carried out in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from the target ship and all other enemy ships in the disposition. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Smith’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and disregard of personal safety was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.