Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Petty Officer

Unit:

Gun Tub 10, USS Intrepid (CV-11), U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

April 20th, 1994

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in connection with operations against the enemy while serving as a Petty Officer aboard the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. INTREPID (CV-11), in action against enemy Japanese forces when his ship was attacked by a Japanese dive bomber from the starboard side of the ship in Philippine waters during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 29 October 1944. Trained and assigned to a gun tub on the port side of the INTREPID, Cook Second Class Gant was in position on 29 October 1944, when a Japanese dive bomber attacked the ship from starboard, aiming directly for Cook Second Class Gant's position. Grabbing his 20-mm. anti-aircraft gun and pointing it across the flight deck, he immediately began firing. He remained at his post and continued to shoot until the plane finally crashed, its wings shot off, into the gun tub, severely burning the him, injuring others and killing 10 of his fellow gun crew. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States."