The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Boatswain’s Mate Ernest R. Mahlmann, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty during the bombing and loss of the U.S.S. PANAY (PR-5), when that vessel was attacked by Japanese airplanes during patrol in the Yangtze River, China, on 12 December 1937. Continuously exposed to heavy bombing and machine gun fire from attacking planes, Chief Boatswain’s Mate Mahlmann manned three machine guns at different times, even though these guns could not bear forward from which direction most of the attacks were made. It was due to his efforts that the boats were successfully lowered and manned during the abandon ship operations, and he made all trips with the wounded while abandoning ship. Though wounded, he voluntarily returned to the sinking PANAY for supplies after she had been abandoned. The conduct of Chief Boatswain’s Mate Mahlmann throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.