The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Pharmacist’s Mate First Class Earl D. Ridgeway (NSN: 6236216), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a Medical Corpsman on board the close-in fire support ship LSM(R), ONE HUNDRED NINETY-FOUR (LSM(R)-194), in action against enemy Japanese forces on 4 May 1945, during the assault on Okinawa Shima. While the whole stern portion of the ship was in flames and the vessel was being shaken by continuous explosions below deck, after having been hit by an enemy suicide, he, demonstrating exceptional skill and courage in the face of continued air attacks, voluntarily entered partly submerged rocket handling rooms and rescued men trapped within. By his valiant service, resourcefulness and complete disregard for his own personal safety, he was directly responsible for saving the lives of these men. By his courage and efforts in behalf of others at great risk to his own life, Pharmacist’s Mate First Class Ridgeway undoubtedly saved many lives, and his steadfast devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.