The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Alfred Humphreys Richards, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander of a Minesweeper Group during the amphibious assault at Anzio, Italy, on 22 January 1944. Although in ill health from his strenuous duties, Commander Richards skillfully trained and supervised the activities of personnel and maintained the equipment of twenty-three minesweepers and escorts during landing operations in this vital area. Hampered by darkness and intermittent gunfire attacks from hostile shore batteries, he fearlessly led his group into heavily mined enemy waters and, by expert control and navigation, quickly cleared approach channels for transportation and gunfire support ships. Commander Richards was an inspiration to the officers and men of the minesweeping group and contributed materially to the success of the landings at Anzio. His throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.