The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Joseph Aloysius Gainard, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in action as master of the steamer CITY OF FLINT, at the time of its seizure upon the high seas and during its detention by armed forces of a belligerent European power. Lieutenant Commander Gainard’s skill, fine judgment and devotion to duty were of the highest order and in accordance with the best tradition of the Naval Service.