The Date of Oct 30, 1945 is the date he was probably declared dead, but he was actually Missing in action on Oct 25,1944. His body was not recovered, hence it says "In Memory of" on the Bronze plaque. Department of Defense usually uses the Missing in action date as date of death.
He was awarded the Navy Cross and The Distinguished Flying Cross.
Tom.Burgdorf (#47597564)

Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Raymond "B" Cook (NSN: 0-121555), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron THIRTEEN (VT-13), attached to the U.S.S. FRANKLIN (CV-13), during operations against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet during the Battle off Cape Engano in the Philippine Area, on 25 October 1944. Launched at dawn from his parent carrier when the northern prong of the Japanese Fleet, proceeding of the Island of Luzon, swung from a south-easterly to a northerly course in an effort to escape the powerful units of our Third Fleet, Lieutenant Cook led his division in pursuit of the fleeing enemy Task Force and, initiating an extremely hazardous glide-bombing attack against the enemy disposition, plunged through a heavy curtain of merciless anti-aircraft fire to score a direct hit on a Japanese aircraft carrier which was later observed to sink. Stout-hearted and indomitable in the face of tremendous odds, Lieutenant Cook, by his daring initiative, bold combat tactics and superb airmanship, contributed essentially to the sinking of an important enemy warship and his great personal valor and resolute conduct throughout this bitterly-fought engagement upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

courtesy of BarryC #47806468