The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Eugene Jarvis Streeter, Jr. (NSN: 0-278768), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FOURTEEN (VF-14), attached to the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), in action against enemy Japanese forces off Mindoro, Philippine Islands, during the Air Battle of Leyte Gulf on 26 October 1944. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Streeter suddenly found himself as the only protection for eight torpedo bombers which were making a strike against large units of the Japanese fleet. When three hostile fighters came in from above, he pressed home an accurate, daring attack which destroyed one of the planes and courageously employed evasive maneuvers with the remaining fighters, vainly attempting to lose them. Although his plane was so severely damaged that he was forced to effect a water landing, he succeeded in diverting the enemy aircraft from the torpedo bombers until assistance arrived, thereby enabling our planes to carry out their highly important mission. The conduct of Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Streeter throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.