The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Paul Asher Frank, 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 FIFTEEN (VB-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese surface forces over the Sibuyan Sea during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands on 25 October 1944. Fearlessly pressing home a determined attack in the face of extremely intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from the formidable enemy disposition, Ensign Frank succeeded in scoring a direct hit upon a Japanese battleship of the ISE class. By his superb airmanship, exceptional courage and steadfast devotion to duty through a perilous assignment, Ensign Frank contributed materially to the sinking of this valuable enemy fighting unit and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.