The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Quartermaster Frank Riduka, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Chief Quartermaster on board the Destroyer U.S.S. SMITH (DD-378), in action against the enemy during the battle to the northward of Santa Cruz Islands, on 26 October 1942. When forced to abandon his station as helmsman by the flames from a burning enemy torpedo plane which had crashed and exploded on the forecastle, Chief Quartermaster Riduka proceeded to the steering engine room and took control, keeping his ship in position in the screen until he was able to shift the steering control to a secondary conn. His cool and calm actions materially assisted in enabling the ship to continue in action against the enemy and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.