The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Alan Reed (NSN: 0-100994), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving on board the Light Cruiser U.S.S. BIRMINGHAM (CL-62), while participating in the salvage and rescue operations of the U.S.S. PRINCETON after that ship was attacked and her crew ordered to abandon ship during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 24 October 1944. Lieutenant Reed volunteered to lead a fire-fighting crew to the stricken vessel and, despite the constant danger from further imminent detonations and enemy aerial attack, he fearlessly boarded the PRINCETON in the face of raging flames. Directing his men with skill and superb courage, he succeeded in extinguishing a number of fires before he was recalled to his own ship as a large group of enemy aircraft again approached his task force and contact with an enemy submarine was reported. When the BIRMINGHAM subsequently returned to the PRINCETON, Lieutenant Reed continued his valiant efforts until he was mortally wounded during a sudden violent explosion in the magazine section of the crippled vessel. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States. He gallantly gave his life for his country.