Frank M. Fisler’s Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross to Frank Moore Fisler, Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary courage and heroic conduct on 30 December 1941, as FIRST Pilot of a Navy Seaplane in Patrol Squadron FIFTY-ONE (VP-51), whose crew and officers, against insurmountable odds, rescued nine army flyers (including one officer), of an Army plane that had been forced down to sea during combat far from Oahu. The conduct of Ensign Fisler throughout this action resulted in the saving of nine lives, and reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.