Lewis H. Maxfield

The Navy Cross is awarded to Commander Lewis H. Maxfield, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism on the occasion of the fall of a French dirigible in which he was acting as direction pilot. Two enlisted men in the nose of the dirigible went overboard when it struck the water. Being encumbered by their fur-lined suits and boots, both men called for help, and Commander Maxfield jumped overboard and went to their assistance. The dirigible drifted away and he had much difficulty in keeping them up, but succeeded in doing so until help arrived.