The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Elwyn Lewis Christman, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy PBY type Patrol Plane in Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED ONE (VP-101), Patrol Wing TEN (PatWing-10), which participated in a bombing attack against a Japanese Naval force consisting of a cruiser, destroyers, and transports, at Jolo, Sulu, Philippine Islands, on 27 December 1941. The bombing attack met with accurate anti-aircraft and fighter opposition. With the leader of the formation missing, in the face of overwhelming odds, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Christman dived his patrol plane at the enemy vessels and released his bombs with resultant damage to those vessels. Thereafter, his plane having been set afire by enemy fighter attacks, he successfully landed his plane off the coast of Jolo Island and subsequently led the surviving members of the crew of his plane to the U.S. Naval Headquarters, Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies. During the attack his gunners shot down one enemy fighter. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Christman’s outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.