Richard E. Ryeberg

The Navy Cross is awarded to Chief Gunner’s Mate Richard E. Ryeberg, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Norfolk, Va. On July 2, 1918, in a fire in the dispensary, in which there was a large quantity of alcohol and other inflammable materials. Chief Gunner’s Mate Ryeberg twice plunged into the thick smoke with fire extinguishers and succeeded in putting out the fire at great personal danger.