Elwyn Lewis Christman

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Elwyn Lewis Christman, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy Patrol Plane in Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED ONE (VP-101), Patrol Wing TEN (PatWing-10), in action against enemy Japanese naval forces located near Jolo, in the Philippine Islands, on the morning of 27 December 1941. During an air attack on enemy ships when anti-aircraft Fire broke up the formation of PBY-4 Catalinas, Lieutenant Christman followed through alone and made a drop on an enemy vessel at 1,000 feet, before his badly damaged aircraft caught fire. Three members of the crew bailed out, but three others remained at their posts while Christman made an emergency water landing, and then led his surviving comrades to shore. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 304 (July 1942)