Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander

Unit:

U.S.S. 'Leutze' (DD-481)

Awarded on:

April 6th, 1945

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Leon Grabowsky, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Acting Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. LEUTZE (DD-481), during action against enemy Japanese forces in support of our amphibious operations at Okinawa, on 6 April 1945. With the U.S.S. NEWCOMB (DD-586) fired and severely damaged by several enemy planes in the midst of a series of violent hostile suicide attacks, Lieutenant Commander Grabowsky immediately proceeded to the stricken destroyer, directing his batteries against the aircraft threatening the other vessel as well as his own and blasting one of them out of the sky. Organizing fire and rescue parties among his crew as he ranged the LEUTZE alongside the burning and exploding ship, he led his men in fighting the raging flames and in providing medical aid to the wounded and, sending up steady streams of anti-aircraft shells against the enemy's aerial force, remained in his perilous position assisting the NEWCOMB until a suicide plane plunged into the stern of his ship. Pulling away smartly in order to prevent further mutual damage between the two destroyers, he succeeded in extinguishing all fires and in controlling the flooding of the after compartments. Although substituting for the LEUTZE's regular Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Grabowsky handled his ship like a veteran commander and maintained a high standard of fighting efficiency on board his gallant craft throughout a long and terrific aerial attack. By his fearless leadership and outstanding courage in the face of grave danger, he contributed to the destruction of an enemy plane and to the preservation of his own and another destroyer, and his heroic conduct reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

Commander Amphibious Forces Pacific Fleet: Serial 0055 (April 17, 1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)