Lieutenant Commander
ROBERT WITCHER COPELAND
U.S. Naval Reserve
Commanding Officer
USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (DE 413)
NAVY CROSS
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington
The President of the United States takes pride in
Presenting the NAVY CROSS to
ROBERT WITCHER COPELAND, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER
UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
"For distinguishing himself by extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of a warship, the USS Samuel B. Roberts, (DE-413), in a surface action with a large task force of the Japanese Fleet, off Samar, in Philippine waters, October 25, 1944. Against an enemy force vastly superior in numbers, armament and armor, with cool deliberation he closed to deliver a torpedo attack on heavy ships of the rapidly advancing enemy who had taken him under fire from their large caliber guns. By his heroic action, he thus diverted enemy fire to himself from the almost defenseless vessels which he was protecting. Although his ship was lost in this engagement, his heroic actions were instrumental in turning back, sorely crippled, a vastly superior enemy force. His extraordinary courage and magnificent fighting spirit in the face of terrific odds will live forever in the memory of the officers and men who served with him that day. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States."
For the President,
/s/ James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy