The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Norman Michael Keiser (NSN: 0-157819), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Plane Commander of a Navy Patrol Bomber in Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEEN (VPB-118), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Korean Coast, on 7 May 1945. Attacking a 4,000-ton freighter which was escorted by two destroyers, Lieutenant Keiser sank the ship and, pressing home another attack in the face of heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire, forced the beaching of a large armed merchantman. Later on this same patrol, he strafed and set afire a third vessel. His airmanship, courage and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.