The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Douglas Halling West (NSN: 0-278333), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FIFTY-ONE (VT-51), attached to the U.S.S. SAN JACINTO (CVL-30), during the attacks by United States Naval forces against a large Japanese Task Force of surface ships in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, on 25 October 1944. In the early morning of that day he piloted one of five planes in a torpedo attack against a large carrier which received one hit from the attack. Later in the day, with armor piercing bombs he obtained two hits on the after end of the flight deck of a medium-sized carrier, starting a fire. Following these hits, and torpedo hits by others in his squadron, this carrier was on fire, down at the stern, and sinking as the attacking planes retired. Both attacks were opposed by very intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire of all calibers, which shot away a substantial part of one of the ailerons of his plane. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.