The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Harry Browning Slocum (NSN: 0-34975), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. MINNEAPOLIS (CA-36), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Surigao Strait in the early hours of 25 October 1944. With United States cruiser units executing a strategic maneuver, as the tactically disposed destroyer units initiated a series of deadly torpedo attacks against a formidable column of Japanese battleships, cruisers and destroyers advancing under cover of darkness toward our waiting forces, Captain Slocum skillfully directed his ship into advantageous striking position despite extremely hazardous conditions and, ordering the fire of his powerful gun batteries with precise timing in a sudden coordinated onset, delivered a smashing Naval bombardment from his man-of-war, surprising the enemy and aiding materially in putting him to rout in Japanese-controlled waters. Detached from this Task Force to pursue the fleeing warships, he resolutely held to an undeviating course, overtaking the remnants of the battered enemy Task Force to join other friendly units in dealing the final blows which brought the decisive action to a close and completed the annihilation of a large and vital portion of the Japanese Fleet. His forceful leadership, brilliant direction and indomitable determination in the face of powerful enemy forces reflect the highest credit upon Captain Slocum and the United States Naval Service.