The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Lawrence Savadkin (NSN: 0-102334), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. TANG (SS-306), during the FIFTH War Patrol of that submarine from 24 September 1944 to 25 October 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the Formosa Strait. As Assistant Approach Officer, his excellent judgment and thorough knowledge of attack problems, assisted his Commanding Officer considerably in conducting eminently successful attacks which resulted in the sinking of thirteen ships including one destroyer for a total of 107,324 tons at a time when the enemy could ill afford to lose a single unit. This record of destruction to the enemy has classified this War Patrol among the greatest submarine cruises of all time. Lieutenant Savadkin aided in the conning of his submarine to the very center of two large, well armed, heavily escorted convoys carrying troops and supplies to enemy forces in the Philippines. Through his cool, unflinching performance of duty under fire the major units of both convoys were sent to the bottom before his ship sank from a direct hit by one of her own erratic running torpedoes. Though trapped in the flooded conning tower, where a delay of a few seconds might preclude all chance of escape, Lieutenant Savadkin, with disregard for his own peril miraculously brought a shipmate clear of the vessel. His leadership, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.