The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Robert J. Brodie, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. DALLAS (DD-199), in action against hostile forces during the occupation of Port Lyautey, French Morocco, on 10 November 1942. Before daylight on 10 November 1942, Lieutenant Commander Brodie in the DALLAS with a detachment of raider troops embarked, entered the mouth of the Sebou River leading to Port Lyautey. With gallantry and intrepidity in the face of determined artillery and machine gun fire and the fire of snipers, at the risk of his own life, the lives of his crew and the embarked troops, he broke the steel cab le boom with the bow of his ship and forced his way ten miles up the Sebou River. Upon arrival at the Port Lyautey Airfield he landed the raider troops, who successfully captured the airfield. This exceptional feat, which was accomplished without material damage or personal loss, is a testimonial to the valor, intelligence and seamanship of this gallant officer, and reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.