LIEUTENANT RICHARD SIMS BATS, United States Naval Reserve. For extraordinary heroism as Pilot of a Torpedo Bomber in Torpedo Squadron THIRTEEN, attached to the U.S.S. FRANKLIN, during action against enemy Japanese Fleet units in the Battle for Leyte Gulf on October 24, 1944. A daring and intrepid airman, Lieutenant (then Lieutenant, Junior Grade) Bates dauntlessly braved withering hostile antiaircraft fire to launch a smashing aerial torpedo attack against the enemy and, by his relentless determination and indomitable courage, succeeded in scoring a devastating hit on a Japanese battleship. His superb skill as an airman, resolute fighting spirit and brilliant combat tactics throughout this period of intense aerial activity reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Bates and the United States Naval Service.

LCMDR Bates resided in Southern California.