Ralph Waldo Elden
Born: July 10, 1907 at New York, New York
Home Town: Chicago, Illinois
Status: MIA
Navy Cross
World War II
U.S. Navy
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ralph Waldo Elden (0-070255), Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Executive Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. HAMMANN (DD-412), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle of Midway on 6 June 1942. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States. He gallantly gave his life for his country.