The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Robert Clarence Thomsen (NSN: 0-390066), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as a Navigator, serving as evaluator in C.I.C. on board the Destroyer U.S.S. LAFFEY (DD-459), in action against the enemy on 16 April 1945, off Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands. After radars were put out of action by two direct hits on the mast and his services were no longer required, Ensign Thomsen proceeded aft to assist in fighting fires that were raging as a result of two suicide crashes and a bomb hit. He fearlessly led a fire hose into the smoke and flame compartment C-204-LM, where fires were threatening to set off ammunition in five inch mount 3 upper handling room and in the after five inch magazine. There he met his death when two suicide planes crashed near him. Although his primary duties were in C.I.C., he unhesitatingly risked, and lost, his life when he realized the urgency of the situation which threatened destruction of his ship. His conduct was exemplary and a source of inspiration to those who carried on the fight to save the ship, for which he gave his life. Ensign Thomsen’s conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.