Ralph Judd Arnold

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ralph Judd Arnold, Commander, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Supply Officer on board the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle of Midway on 6 June 1942. Commander Arnold contributed greatly to the maintenance of material readiness of that vessel and her air group. In the battle he voluntarily served in the ammunition supply of a 5-inch gun and, during abandonment of the YORKTOWN, demonstrated organizing ability in directing personnel over the side. Later, in his tireless efforts to set up a commissary department for subsisting the salvage crew on board, Commander Arnold inspected lower deck compartments adjacent to those which had been flooded. When the U.S.S. HAMMAN was torpedoed, he made himself personally responsible for rescuing two members of her crew and later worked zealously in transferring wounded from the YORKTOWN to a tug alongside, even volunteering to return to that vessel after the salvage party had abandoned her on 6 June 1942. Commander Arnold’s conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 310 (January 1943)