The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Paul Edward Summers (NSN: 0-77117), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. PAMPANITO (SS-383), on the THIRD War Patrol of that submarine during the period 17 August 1944 to 28 September 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the Luzon Straits in the Philippine Islands. By his aggressive and tenacious actions, despite strong enemy countermeasures, Lieutenant Commander Summers skillfully attacked heavily escorted enemy shipping and sank a large transport and two large freighters for a total of 23,600 tons, and damaged an additional freighter of 4,000 tons. Later, while searching for damaged shipping, he discovered and effected the rescue of seventy-three British and Australian prisoners of war who were survivors of a torpedoed enemy transport which had been transporting them from Singapore to the Japanese Empire. His skillful evasive tactics, in the face of enemy counter-attacks, enabled him to escape without damage to his ship; and his outstanding resourcefulness and ingenuity in providing for the care and treatment of the sick and wounded survivors rendered it possible for all to reach port safely. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.