The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Harley Kent Nauman, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SALMON (SS-182), on the ELEVENTH War Patrol of that submarine from 24 September 1944 to 3 November 1944, in Japanese home waters. When his vessel was subjected to a severe enemy depth charging and forced almost beyond test depth following an attack on a large enemy tanker, Commander Nauman courageously endeavored for seventeen minutes to keep the leaking submarine from sinking deeper. Daringly battle-surfacing to effect emergency repairs and fight it out, he directed accurate gunfire against the enemy and succeeded in keeping out of effective range of hostile guns and, by expert evasive tactics, confused the enemy until the escort warily closed to ram. In a brilliantly executed surprise attack, he directed his vessel in charging the opponent with all available speed and opened fire with every gun aboard to rake the target fore and aft and destroy most of the Japanese topside. His courageous initiative, outstanding fortitude and sound tactical judgment throughout reflect the highest credit upon Commander Nauman and the United States Naval Service.