"For heroic achievement while serving on board the U.S.S. SAMUEL B. ROBERTS in action against enemy Japanese forces off Samar Island during the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, October 25, 1944. Courageous and efficient despite continuous, close-range hostile fire, GREGORY assisted in loading a 5"/38 gun when the regular crew became physically exhausted during an attack by a numerically superior Japanese surface force on the SAMUEL B. ROBERTS. Despite battle damage which under ordinary circumstances would have rendered this mount inoperative, GREGORY assisted in maintaining an extremely high rate of fire and was instrumental in inflicting serious damage upon an enemy heavy cruiser. Carrying on valiantly under the most perilous conditions, he was fatally wounded when an explosion within the mount destroyed the gun. His unwavering devotion to duty reflects the highest credit upon GREGORY and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."