The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Aviation Machinist’s Mate First Class Donald A. Graham, United States Navy, for exceptional courage, presence of mind, and devotion to duty and disregard for his personal safety while serving on board the Battleship U.S.S. ARIZONA (BB-39), during the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941. Although his shipmates were leaving the blazing U.S.S. ARIZONA, on his own initiative Aviation Machinist Mate First Class Graham faced the intense fire on the deck, severe bombing and withering machine gun fire of enemy strafing planes to release lines connecting the battleship with a repair vessel, U.S.S. VESTAL, thus aiding the latter in getting underway. The conduct of Aviation Machinist’s Mate First Class Graham throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.