Norman M. Keiser

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Norman M. Keiser, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy Patrol Plane in Patrol-Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEEN (VP-118), in action on 7 May 1945, while deployed over Korea. On that date while part of a five-plane patrol over Korea, Lieutenant Keiser’s crew sank a 4,000-ton freighter despite fire from its two destroyer escorts. They then strafed a second vessel, forcing it to beach ashore. Later, on the same patrol, Lieutenant Keiser and his crew strafed and set on fire a third vessel. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.