The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Machinist’s Mate First Class Gerald L. Weimers, 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. On his own initiative Machinist’s Mate First Class Weimers manned a sampan, acting as both coxswain and engineer, making all trips in this boat while abandoning the ship, during which he was machined-gunned by attacking planes. He voluntarily returned to the PANAY in the face of hostile plane attacks, boarded the abandoned and sinking ship, and obtained supplies for the wounded. The conduct of Seaman First Class McEowen throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.