The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Arthur Grant Elder (NSN: 0-156687), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Executive Officer and Commander of a Navy Search Liberator attached to Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN (VPB-117), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Saigon Harbor, French Indo-China, on 25 March 1945. Lieutenant Elder made gallant and courageous attacks on armed enemy merchant vessels and inflicting damaging blows on two destroyer escorts and twenty other merchant vessels. Repeatedly making low-level strafing attacks, he maneuvered his plane with skillful airmanship in the face of anti-aircraft of all types, displaying unusual courage and ability in his attacks and dealing the enemy a crippling blow. In addition, he pressed home a determined attack on a hostile aircraft and shot it down in flames. By his aggressive fighting spirit, perseverance and gallant devotion to duty, Lieutenant Elder contributed immeasurably to the success of the war in the Pacific and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.