The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Richard Philemon Smith (NSN: 0-320547), 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 FORTY-FOUR (VT-44), attached to the U.S.S. LANGLEY (CV-27), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands during the Battle for Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. Without the aid of diversionary bombing or strafing attacks, Ensign Smith pressed home his attack to absolute minimum range in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, both heavy and light, in order to positively obtain a torpedo hit. His torpedo materially damaged this major unit of the Japanese Navy. His courage and disregard for his own personal safety were over and above those in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.