The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Milo Burnell Evarts (NSN: 0-101674), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Number 2 Turret Officer on board the Light Cruiser U.S.S. BOISE (CL-47), during action against enemy Japanese naval forces off Savo Island during the Battle of Cape Esperance on the night of 11 – 12 October 1942. When fire broke out in the turret and the danger of subsequent explosion grew increasingly imminent, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Evarts, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, stood bravely by his post while the flames were being extinguished by fire-fighting parties. Carrying on to the very last, he finally succumbed in the officers’ booth, where his body was found with one hand still on the telephone. His courageous dedication to duty, maintained with unyielding determination to the very instant of his death, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the defense of his country.