The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Ralph Marion Metcalf (NSN: 0-74893), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. POGY (SS-266), on the FOURTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 25 November 1943 to 22 December 1943, in enemy controlled waters of the Palau Islands. Alert and aggressive as he navigated dangerous seas in search of Japanese shipping, Commander Metcalf contacted a convoy of two vessels and one destroyer and, pressing home three boldly executed attacks against the enemy craft, succeeded in sinking the two freighters totaling 13,800 tons and in evading the escorting ship’s countermeasures. Later in the same patrol, he maneuvered into a favorable position and fired his torpedoes into an escorted transport containing Japanese troops, sinking this vital enemy vessel and withdrawing before the protecting craft could bear down upon him. His skilled tactics, fearless leadership, courageous conduct and gallant devotion to duty during a daring undersea offensive inspired the officers and men of his submarine and reflect great credit upon Commander Metcalf, his intrepid command and the United States Naval Service.