The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Kenneth George Hippe (NSN: 0-105984), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot and Leader of a Flight of carrier-based Navy Fighter Planes in Composite Squadron THREE (VC-3), attached to the U.S.S. KALININ BAY (CVE-68), in action against the Japanese Fleet during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, on 24 October 1944. When our transport forces were under attack by a formation of twenty-one enemy bombers, Lieutenant Hippe led his flight in repeated attacks to prevent the destruction of our unprotected surface craft and, by personally shooting down five Japanese bombers, contributed greatly to the definite destruction of nineteen of the enemy planes, thereby assisting in saving our transports. His gallant fighting spirit and coolness under fire upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.