THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the

UNITED STATES SHIP SANTEE

And her attached Air Groups participating in the following operations:

CAG-29 (VGS-29, VGF-29), North Africa, November 8 to 11, 1942;
CAG-29, Task Group 21.11, June 13 to August 6, 1943;
CVEG-26, Palau, Yap, Ulithi, Woleai Raid, March 30 to April 1, 1944;
CVEG-26, Western New Guinea Operation, April 22 to May 5, 1944;
CVEG-26, Western New Guinea Operation, September 15 to 27, 1944;
CVEG-26, Leyte Operation, October 12 to 27, 1944;
CVEG-24, Okinawa Gunto Operation, March 25 to June 16, 1945;
CVEG-24, THIRD Fleet Operations against Japan, July 10 to 15, 1945,

For service as set forth in the following

CITATION

"For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy forces in the air, ashore and afloat. Operating in the most advanced areas, the USS SANTEE and her attached air squadrons struck with sustained fury at hostile warships, aircraft, merchant shipping and shore installations in the face of frequent and prolonged enemy air attacks. During the historic Battle for Leyte Gulf, the valiant SANTEE withstood successively the shattering explosion of a suicide plane in her flight deck and a torpedo hit in her side, stoutly conducted flight operations and fighting her anti-aircraft guns throughout the period of emergency repairs. Despite the strain of constant alerts and long periods of unrelieved action, she sent out her planes to cover our landing operations and land offensives and to destroy the enemy's vital airfields and his camouflaged dispersal areas. The SANTEE's illustrious record of combat achievement reflects the highest credit upon her gallant officers and men and upon the United States Naval Service."

For the President, James Forrestal Secretary of the Navy