The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Frank Russell West (NSN: 0-112170), 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 FIFTEEN (VB-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese surface forces over the Sibuyan Sea during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands on 25 October 1944. Fearlessly leading his three-plane section in over a formidable enemy task force, Lieutenant West pressed home his attack in the face of accurate and intense anti-aircraft fire, scoring a direct hit upon a Japanese battleship of the ISE class. By his superb airmanship, exceptional courage and steadfast devotion to duty through a perilous assignment, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, West contributed materially to the sinking of this valuable enemy fighting unit and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.