Thomas Edward Fraser

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Thomas Edward Fraser, 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. WALKE (DD-416), and Acting Division Commander of the destroyers in the task force during an engagement with Japanese naval forces near Savo Island on the night of 14 – 15 November 1942. Captain Fraser led his ships into action against a numerically superior force of Japanese vessels and succeeded in diverting a torpedo attack against our heavy ships while at the same time inflicting grave damage to the Japanese forces. His inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital missions and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 318 (September 1943)