The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] David Michael Rubel, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Gunnery Officer aboard the Destroyer U.S.S. AARON WARD (DM-34), during action against enemy Japanese forces in support of operations at Okinawa Gunto, 3 May 1945. With his ship subjected to a series of intense Japanese suicide aerial attacks, Lieutenant Commander Rubel directed his five-inch gun crews in sending up deadly barrages of anti-aircraft shells against the plunging hostile planes and, maintaining throughout a high standard of fighting efficiency despite personnel casualties and extensive damage to his guns and equipment, succeeded in blasting four of the enemy out of the sky and in damaging many more. Meeting every threat to his vessel and every adverse situation on board with unfailing aggressiveness and indomitable spirit, Lieutenant Commander Rubel led his men in disrupting repeated Japanese attacks and, in addition, organized and directed fire-fighting activities, extinguishing a blazing fire which endangered the magazines. His fearless leadership, great personal courage and unwavering devotion to duty during a long and terrific engagement with enemy suicide aircraft were inspiring to the officers and men of his ship and reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Commander Rubel and the United States Naval Service.