The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Torpedoman’s Mate Joseph Eiben, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty as a Diver, on the occasion of the salvaging of the U.S.S. S-51, from 16 October 1925 to 8 July 1926. Chief Torpedoman’s Mate Eiben’s actions during this operation were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Chief Torpedoman’s Mate Joseph Eiben, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession in connection with the preliminary stages of the development and testing of the submarine escape device known as the “Lung,” in 1931. With the final apparatus, he made many test escapes. When the final tests were made in open water, he was lowered in a steel box in the Potomac River in 102 feet of water off Morgantown, Maryland, and again in 155 feet of water off Solomons Island, Maryland, where he assisted others to escape safely to the surface. So far as is known, no such tests as this series have been previously made. All the tests with preliminary design and tests with final apparatus required extraordinary coolness and courage, necessitating assumption of risks far beyond the call in line of duty. The hazards were eagerly accepted by Chief Torpedoman’s Mate Eiben to the furtherance of this development, and his work in this connection contributed greatly to the final perfection of the apparatus.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Chief Torpedoman’s Mate Joseph Eiben, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and fearless devotion to duty during the diving operations in connection with the salvage of the U.S.S. S-4, sunk as a result of a collision off Provincetown, Massachusetts, 17 December 1927. During the period 17 December 1927 to 17 March 1928, on which latter date the ill-fated vessel was raised, Chief Torpedoman’s Mate Eiben, under the most adverse weather conditions, at the risk of his life, descended many times into the icy waters and displayed throughout that period fortitude, skill, determination and courage which characterizes conduct above and beyond the call of duty.