The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Ralph L. A. Rhodes, 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 SEVEN (VB-7), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Sulu Sea in the Philippine Islands, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. Flying to extreme range from his carrier against major units of the fleet in the Philippine Islands area, Lieutenant Rhodes pressed home his attack despite intense anti-aircraft fire in utter disregard of his own safety and scored a direct hit on an enemy battleship. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.