CAPTAIN WARNER WILLIAM TYLER (then Lieutenant, Junior Grade), United States Navel Reserve. For extraordinary heroism as Pilot of a Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron Nineteen, attached to the USS Lexington, in action against enemy Japanese surface forces during the Battle for Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. Participating in a vigorous strike against major units of the Japanese Fleet, including aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, (then Ensign) Tyler boldly plunged through continuous, intense antiaircraft fire to carry out his attack and, expertly maneu-vering to release his torpedo at close range, succeeded in scoring a damaging hit on an enemy battleship. By his superb airmanship, daring combat tactics and courage main-tained in the face of tremendous opposition, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Tyler contributed materially to the infliction of extensive damage and destruction on the Japanese Fleet in this decisive battle, and his gallant devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.