The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Thomas H Jenkins (NSN: 0-77794), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Air Group TWENTY-TWO (AG-22), attached to the U.S.S. COWPENS (CVL-25), during a major Fleet engagement in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands on 26 October 1944. In the face of intense anti-aircraft fire from a large number of Japanese warships, he led his squadron in pressing home an attack which scored three definite torpedo hits on an enemy cruiser leaving her in a sinking condition. His courage, skill, and inspiring leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.