Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander

Unit:

Torpedo Squadron 15 (VT-15), U.S.S. Essex (CV-9) (Torpedo Squadron 15 (VT-15), U.S.S. Essex (CV-9))

Awarded on:

May 1945

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Squadron Commander of Torpedo Squadron FIFTEEN (VT-15), embarked from the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese surface forces over the Sibuyan Sea during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands on 25 October 1944. In the face of intense and accurate enemy antiaircraft fire, Lieutenant Commander Lambert skillfully deployed his forces in a coordinated, vigorous attack during which he scored a torpedo hit on an enemy carrier and inflicted maximum damage to the enemy fleet without loss to his own force. Undaunted in the face of relentless, devastating antiaircraft fire, he rendered gallant service during the bitterly fought engagement in which all carriers, a light cruiser and a destroyer of the enemy's task force were sunk and heavy bomb and torpedo damage inflicted on battleships and other important naval units. By his daring airmanship, exceptional courage and steadfast devotion to duty through a perilous assignment, Lieutenant Commander Lambert contributed materially to the sinking of this valuable enemy fighting unit and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 338 (May 1945).