The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign William Gallagher (NSN: 0-298962), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane in Composite Squadron TEN (VC-10), attached to the U.S.S. GAMBIER BAY (CVE-73), in action on 24 October 1944, while deployed over Samar during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands. Ensign Gallagher launched an attack on an enemy battleship, pressing home a daring run in which he scored a direct hit on the enemy warship before he was force to land in the heavy seas when his plane was struck by hostile fire. Ensign Gallagher’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.