Frederick C. Ley, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Frederick C. Ley, Jr., Fireman Second Class, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for exceptional courage, presence of mind, and devotion to duty and disregard for his personal safety while serving on board the Hospital Ship U.S.S. SOLACE (AH-5), during the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. When his boat was sent alongside the blazing U.S.S. ARIZONA, Fireman Second Class Ley displayed unusual disregard of his own life in diving overboard into water on which there was a great amount of burning oil, to save an officer from drowning. The conduct of Fireman Second Class Ley throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.