The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Clarence Vincent Conlan, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. MONOCACY during the Sino-Japanese hostilities in China. For nearly four months the MONOCACY was confined between the barriers on the Yangtze River subjected to the hazards of drifting mines and on numerous occasions, aerial bombing, endangering the ship and personnel. Obtaining fuel and supplies entirely from restricted agencies and sources required tact, initiative and perseverance. Lieutenant Conlan’s loyalty, personal courage, high degree of leadership and administrative ability under such hazardous and difficult conditions characterizes conduct above and beyond the ordinary call of duty.