Arthur M. Ershler

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Arthur M. Ershler, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane in Composite Squadron TWENTY-NINE (VC-29), embarked from the U.S.S. SANTEE (ACV-9), during the occupation of French Morocco from 8 to 11 November 1942. When his plane was badly damaged by gunfire during a raid upon a convoy of hostile trucks, Lieutenant Ershler, although severely nauseated by escaping gasoline fumes, gamely continued his flight to an enemy airdrome where he damaged several planes by strafing and scored a direct bomb hit on a hangar. Subsequently pressing home aerial attacks against hostile troops and machine-gun emplacements, he contributed materially to the action which forced hostile troops to retire to new positions. Lieutenant Ershler’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 318 (September 1943)