The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Robert Francis Thomas (NSN: 0-290853), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron TWENTY-ONE (VF-21), attached to the U.S.S. BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), while flying fighter cover in an attack made in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, on 15 October 1944. In this severe action Ensign Thomas engaged seven enemy fighter planes attempting interception. Of those engaged he shot down four, unassisted. On 25 October 1944, while flying cover in an attack against major units of the enemy Fleet in the Philippine Sea, he engaged two enemy fighter planes and shot down one. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.