The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Lyle S. Tennis (NSN: 0-370195/1105), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Communications Officer on board the U.S.S. LSM(R) ONE HUNDRED NINETY (LSM(R)-190), a close-in fire support ship, in action against the enemy on 4 May 1945, off Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands. After three enemy suicide planes crashed into the ship, wounding the Commanding Officer, he, although suffering from shrapnel wounds himself, assumed direction of the ship and calmly and efficiently maneuvered the ship and directed the firing of the anti-aircraft batteries. When it became necessary to abandon ship, he aided in evacuating his wounded Commanding Officer and was the last to leave the sinking vessel. By his outstanding initiative and inspiring leadership, he contributed materially to minimizing the number of casualties. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.