Nils Rodney Larson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Nils Rodney Larson, Ensign, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of an airplane, and for extraordinary courage and disregard of his own safety during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. Although contact with the enemy meant almost certain destruction and despite the lack of any armament in this type plane, Ensign Larson voluntarily piloted a JRS amphibian plane, equipped with only Springfield rifles, in search for and to obtain information of the enemy forces. Ensign Larson’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.