Ralph Smith Riggs

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ralph Smith Riggs, Captain, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander of a Destroyer Squadron during the action against enemy naval forces off the Komandorski Islands on 26 March 1943. Captain Riggs, with brilliant leadership, engaged in a fierce running battle for three and one-half hours. His bold attack against a Japanese force, twice the strength of his own, was a deciding factor in thwarting the enemy’s attempt to deliver urgently needed supplies to troops in the Aleutian Islands. Captain Riggs’ conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 319 (October 1943)