COMMANDER CALVIN BURKHART (then Lietenant, Junior Grade), United States Naval Reserve. For extraordinary heroism as Pilot of a Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron TWENTY, attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, during action against units of the Japanese Fleet in the Battle for Leyte Gulf, October 25, 1944. Flying as wingman on a search and attack mission when an enemy task force was sighted and his division assigned an aircraft carrier as a target, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Burkhart defied the withering barrages of antiaircraft fire to dive low over the hostile warship and release his bombs at perilously low altitude to score direct hits which started fires and contributed materially to the infliction of extensive damage on the Japanese vessel. His superb airmanship, inspiring courage and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Burkhart and the United States Naval Service.

Commander Burkhart is a life member and resides in California.