The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Seaman Second Class James Edgar Brooks, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 4 April 1937, while crossing the Elizabeth River between Norfolk and Portsmouth aboard a ferry. Seaman Second Class Brooks, at the risk of his life, unhesitatingly went to the rescue of William E. Daughtrey, a stranger, who was being attacked and subsequently fatally wounded. His courageous action and exemplary conduct on this occasion reflect great credit upon the Naval Service.