Malcom P. Nash

The Navy Cross is awarded to Commander Malcom P. Nash, U.S. Navy (Reserve Forces), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty when commanding the U.S.S. Ophir, while at sea on November 10, 1918. A fire started on the vessel, which was loaded with gasoline and other inflammable and explosive materials. The vessel returned to Gibraltar for assistance. Explosions occurred in the holds and the fire tugs refused to remain alongside. The vessel’s own fire apparatus was put out of service by the fire, and the crew was ordered to abandon the vessel. The captain remained on board and when a tug came to rescue him, he secured the line, and refused to abandon the vessel until, with the assistance of some of his officers and men who returned aboard, the magazine had been flooded with hose from the tug, and ready 6-inch ammunition thrown overboard, the vessel then being a mass of flames. Later he assisted in salvaging the Ophir, which was restored to service.