Martin Moran

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Martin Moran, Metalsmith First class, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in action during the attack on the Light Cruiser U.S.S. MARBLEHEAD (CL-12), by Japanese enemy bombers on 4 February 1942. When the steering engine room was wrecked, Metalsmith First Class Moran, despite being surrounded by electrical fires, worked to free the jammed rudder and to lock it amidships.