The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander [then Commander] William Dow Thomas, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander of Destroyer and Destroyer Escorts screening an Escort Carrier Task Unit, during action against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet, in the Battle off Samar Island, Philippine Islands, on 25 October 1944. Against an enemy overwhelmingly superior in numbers, firepower and armor he deployed his small force between the enemy and the lightly armed and armored carriers to afford protection to them and to bring his lighter caliber guns to bear more effectively upon the rapidly advancing enemy. With dauntless determination to inflict the utmost in damage to the enemy, he skillfully organized a torpedo attack upon the enemy, which closed to short range under intense fire from heavy caliber guns to deliver crippling blows and to help materially to turn the tide of battle in our favor. By his extraordinary courage and skill in combat he gave inspiration and leadership to his force and his conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.