Ralph D. Ettinger

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ralph D. Ettinger, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy Patrol Plane and Commanding Officer of Patrol-Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VPB-121), in action against enemy Japanese forces off the coast of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, on 3 August 1945. When a downed American P-51 Pilot was found floating in the water near the enemy-occupied island of Sagami Nada, Lieutenant Ettinger, in company with another Patrol Plane of his squadron, engaged enemy aircraft that attempted to intercept a U.S. submarine attempting to recover the downed pilot. In this engagement Lieutenant Ettinger and his crew shot down two of the eight attacking enemy fighters, continuing on station and in aerial combat for forty minutes until the pilot was successfully recovered. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.