Jacob Matthew Reisert

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Jacob Matthew Reisert (0-112629), Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Division Leader in Air Group THIRTY (AG-30), embarked from the U.S.S. BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Shoto Islands on 1 March 1945. Lieutenant Reisert skillfully maneuvered his division for a fierce attack on hostile warships off Ishigaki Jima, in the Nansei Shoto, on 1 March 1943. Despite terrific antiaircraft fire he obtained a direct hit on the forecastle of an enemy destroyer as well as a very near miss alongside. Although severely wounded when his plane was seriously damaged by an exploding shell, he remained a the controls of his crippled bomber until a rescue ship was reached approximately two hours later. After his two air crewmen had parachuted and were taken safe on board the surface craft he parachuted himself, but was unable to release the parachute. Lieutenant Reisert’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 344 (November 1945)