The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Robert Bennie Gilfert, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. LST FIVE HUNDRED NINETY (LST-590), in action against enemy forces during the invasion of Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. Braving intense hostile gunfire which holed his ship severely, rendered his unloading equipment inoperative and caused several casualties to his small crew, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Gilfert succeeded in landing his craft to discharge DD tanks. Undaunted by these almost insurmountable obstacles, he retracted from the beach, effected a difficult mooring alongside an APA despite extremely rough seas and, aware of the danger of his waterlogged vessel capsizing under the weight of another cargo, unselfishly offered the services of his gallant craft to deliver additional cargo to our hard-pressed forces on the beach. His indomitable spirit and staunch devotion to the fulfillment of a perilous assignment served as an inspiration to his associates and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.