William R. Roberts’ Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to

William Russell Roberts

Radioman Second Class, U.S. Navy

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for distinguished service in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage and disregard of his own safety during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. As radioman-gunner of a battleship Scout Plane returning to Pearl Harbor after a search mission, Radioman Second Class Roberts attempted to save the life of pilot, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, J. B. Ginn, USN. Crashing eight miles offshore, both men were rendered unconscious. Radioman Second Class Roberts recovered and freed Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Ginn. Repeatedly diving, despite cuts and bruises, one almost drowning when he became entangled, he obtained the inflatable rubber life raft. He placed the unconscious Ginn on a wing float. Towing the pilot, he paddled to shore where a large breaker capsized the float. He located Ginn, who had been lost in the surf, dragged him ashore and started for aid. An Army patrol took them to a hospital where the pilot died. Roberts’ lacerated head required fifteen stitches. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.