The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Philip H. Teeter, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving on board the Destroyer U.S.S. SMITH (DD-378), in action against the enemy during the operations of the U.S. Naval Forces north of the Santa Cruz, Islands, on 26 October 1942. When a flaming Japanese plane crashed on the forecastle of his ship, its torpedo exploding, Lieutenant Teeter gallantly led a fire party to the scene, and despite fierce aerial attacks, finally succeeded in extinguishing it, thereby enabling his ship to maintain her position in a carrier’s screen. The conduct of Lieutenant McDaniel throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.