The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Gunner’s Mate Richard E. Ryeberg, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Norfolk, Va. On 2 July 1918, in a fire in the dispensary, in which there was a large quantity of alcohol and other inflammable materials. Chief Gunner’s Mate Ryeberg twice plunged into the thick smoke with fire extinguishers and succeeded in putting out the fire at great personal danger.