Welford C. Blinn’s FIRST Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY CROSS to

Welford Charles Blinn

Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. POPE (DD-225), and for extreme courage and complete disregard for his own personal safety in the face of heavy opposition during the Battle of the Java Sea, on the night of 24 – 25 January 1942, in delivering a successful attack upon enemy Japanese forces off Balikpapan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies. By skillful and precise handling of his ship, Lieutenant Commander Blinn aided in surprising and confusing the superior Japanese forces, and as a result, a great part of the enemy concentration was sunk or damaged by repeated torpedo and gunfire attacks. This action and the high morale of his command reflect most favorably on Lieutenant Commander Blinn’s ability a leader and officer, and are in keeping with the best traditions of the United States Naval Service.