The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Edward Brainard Holley (NSN: 0-112358), 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 TWENTY (VT-20), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action on 24 October 1944, during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands. He pressed home his torpedo attack on an enemy battleship in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire to score a hit which severely damaged it. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.