The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Howard Leyland Young, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Escort Carrier U.S.S. OMMANEY BAY (CVE-79), in a surface engagement with a large task force of the Japanese Fleet near the Island of Samar in Philippine waters during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. Captain Young conducted his command gallantly and with courageous initiative, inspiring his officers and men and the Ommaney Bay air personnel throughout the critical and fiercely fought Battle for Leyte Gulf against a powerful force of Japanese battleships, cruisers and destroyers. His superb seamanship and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of overwhelming odds were important factors in turning potential defeat into a decisive victory over the Central Japanese Force. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Howard Leyland Young, United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as Commander of a Carrier Group when, during the hours of darkness on the morning of 1 February 1942, in enemy waters, he successfully led the scouting and bombing squadrons one hundred and seventy-five miles over enemy-controlled waters to their objectives, which all planes reached and attacked on schedule, surprising and inflicting great damage on the enemy. Again, after successfully returning his squadrons to the carrier, he led another flight of bombers against a fully alerted enemy stronghold and this attack, which was made in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, caused great destruction to enemy installations.