Philippine Presidential Unit Citation

From the personal collection of Gilbert J. Raynor and the U.S.S. KITKUN BAY Association

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES Camp General Emilio Aquinaldo, Quezon City

12 October 1984 AGMD2 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 797

AWARD OF THE PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION BADGE

By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 91 1, Section II, Armed Forces of the Philippines Regulations G 131-052, this Headquarters, dated 24 April 1967, as amended, the PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION BADGE is hereby awarded to

TASK UNIT SEVENTY-SEVEN POINT FOUR POINT THREE, consisting of the U.S.S. FANSHAW BAY and VC-88; U.S.S. GAMBIER BAY and VC-10; U.S.S. KALININ BAY and VC-3; U.S.S. KITKUN BAY and VC-5; U.S.S. SAINT LO and VC-65; U.S.S. WHITE PLAINS and VC-4; U.S.S. HOEL, U.S.S. JOHNSTON, U.S.S. HEERMANN, U.S.S. SAMUEL B. ROBERTS, U.S.S. RAYMOND, U.S.S. DENNIS and
U.S.S. JOHN C. BUTLER

for acts and services of exceptional gallantry and heroism rendered by its officers and crew to the Philippines and its people during the battle off Samar, Philippines, on 25 October 1944 when Task Unit 77.4.3 (Taffy III), to which USS KITKUN BAY belonged, was given a vital mission to protect General MacArthur’s forces in Leyte Gulf. As the Central Japanese Force steamed through San Bernardino Strait towards Leyte Gulf, Task Unit 77.4.3 was suddenly attacked by hostile cruisers on its port hand, destroyers on the starboard and battleships from the rear. Quickly laying down a heavy smoke screen, the gallant ships of the Task Unit fiercely waged a battle against the superior speed and firepower of the advancing enemy, swiftly launching and rearming aircraft and violently zigzagging in protection of vessels stricken by hostile armor-piercing shells and suicide bombers. The courageous determination and the superb teamwork of the officers and men of the USS KITKUN BAY greatly contributed to the Task Unit’s mission of effecting the retirement of a hostile force that threatened the Leyte invasion operation. By these achievements, TASK UNIT SEVENTY-SEVEN POINT FOUR POINT THREE earned the lasting admiration of the Philippine Republic and its people.

BY ORDER OF THE DEFENSE MINISTER:

OFFICIAL:

SINFOROSO L DUQUE Brigadier General, AFP The Adjutant General