Robert Rutherford Craighill

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Robert Rutherford Craighill, Captain [then Commander], U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. BROWN (DD-546), assigned to Radar Picket duty and subsequently as a Radar Picket Support Vessel, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa Jima, from 10 April to 18 May 1945, and from 16 June to 20 June 1945. With his ship a frequent target for many air raids launched against the expeditionary forces at Okinawa, Captain Craighill continued to perform the vital functions of providing early air warning and fighter direction which together with his ship’s own gunfire, accounted for large numbers of enemy planes and prevented air attacks in strength on the Naval forces off the beachhead. Throughout the long and arduous campaign, he directed his batteries in destroying seven hostile planes and assisting in downing eight more. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, Destroyers, Pacific Fleet: Serial 04005 (November 30, 1945)