DISTINGUISHED  FLYING  CROSS  CITATION

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Richard W. Roby, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement as pilot of a fighter plane in Composite Squadron Ten aboard the USS Gambier Bay during the invasion of Leyte.  On 24 October 1944, Lieutenant Roby shot down one twin engine bombing plane and assisted in shooting down a second twin engine bombing plane.  These enemy planes were a part of a large enemy formation making a bombing attack on our transports unloading troops for the invasion of Leyte.  In the Battle of Samar Island on 25 October, he was launched from his ship while it was under gunfire and he participated in repeated strafing attacks on the enemy task force during the opening phase of the engagement.  These attacks were all made in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire from enemy battleships and cruisers.  As a result of the attacks in which he participated, the enemy surface ships were thrown into confusion and seriously delayed in pressing their attack on our own carriers.  His courageous conduct and skillful airmanship achieved results which were a contributing factor in the success of the Leyte invasion and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.