The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Herman Oliff Parish, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Commander of Destroyer Division FIFTY (DesDiv 50), on Radar Picket Line, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa, on 14 April 1945. Undaunted by overwhelming odds, Captain Parish skillfully directed ships and aircraft under his command in repelling suicide attacks by fifteen to twenty hostile planes, thereby playing a major part in destroying ten aircraft and denying the remainder access to his Task Group. By his courageous leadership, he contributed to maintaining the safety of the Task Force and his devotion to the fulfillment of a vital assignment reflects the highest credit upon Captain Parish and the United States Naval Service.