The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Lawrence Randall Daspit, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. TINOSA (SS-238), during a War Patrol of that submarine in enemy controlled waters of the Pacific Theater of Operations. Commander Daspit courageously and skillfully maneuvered his vessel into position from which to strike the enemy, and aggressively attacked in the face of heavy and persistent enemy countermeasures, sinking enemy vessels totaling over 18,000 tons, and damaging an additional 7,000 tons. Although severely depth-charged, he handled his ship expertly and avoided severe counter-measures, and brought her to port without serious injury to ship or crew. His actions and conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.