The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Eugene Powell Townsend (NSN: 0-223852), 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-SEVEN (VF-27), attached to the U.S.S. PRINCETON (CVL-23), in action on 24 October 1944, during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands. In taking part in the successful interception of a very large group of enemy planes attempting to attack a United States Task Force near the Philippine Islands, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Townsend shot down five enemy planes and probably destroyed at least one other. Although his own plane had been struck several times by enemy fire he continued to engage the enemy until his ammunition and fuel were exhausted. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.