The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Storekeeper Second Class Gordon Albert Welch (NSN: 6361428), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in operations against the enemy while serving as Gun Captain of a 20-mm. gun on an LCI Gunboat during the assault on Leyte, Philippine Islands on 20 October 1944, when his ship led in the first wave of an invasion force. During the intense enemy mortar, machine gun, and sniper fire, one rocket rack was hit by shrapnel and a rocket was splintered and dangerously set on fire. With complete disregard of his safety, Storekeeper Second Class Welch exposed himself to the continuing enemy fire, dislodged this burning rocket from its launcher, and threw it overboard, saving his ship from serious damage and his shipmates from injury and death. His courage and conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.