Elbert S. Heim

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Elbert S. Heim, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Composite Squadron NINE (VC-9), embarked from the U.S.S. BOGUE (CVE-9), in action against an enemy submarine in the Atlantic Ocean on 4 October 1943. Flying to the support of a bomber which was in contact with four surfaced hostile submarines, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Heim commenced firing at a range of two thousand feet and came in through a barrage of deadly cross-fire from the enemy vessels, strafing the largest and most heavily armed submarine until he was within fifty feet of his target. After a skillful second run in which the enemy’s anti-aircraft battery was silenced, he vigorously strafed two of the surfaced U-boats, making them easy targets for unopposed bombing attacks which resulted in the probable destruction of one of the hostile vessels. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Heim’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. 326 (May 1944)