The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Arlie George Capps, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of this profession as Executive Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. NEWCOMB (DD-586), in action against enemy Japanese suicide planes which attacked his vessel in the vicinity of Okinawa, on 6 April 1945. Although buried by the wreckage of a crashed enemy suicide plane while making his way to the forward batteries after all equipment in the combat information center had failed, Lieutenant Commander Capps unhesitatingly continued forward when freed from the debris and directed the fire of the forward guns. Then, organizing fire-fighting parties, he led them into the raging flames amidships and succeeded in bringing the fire under control. By his inspiring leadership, outstanding courage and perseverance in the face of extreme hazards, Lieutenant Commander Capps contributed materially to the saving of his ship and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.