The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Mr. Rene Malavergne, a French Civilian, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Civilian Pilot aboard the U.S.S. Dallas (DD-199) during the assault upon and occupation of Port Lyautey Airfield in French Morocco, on 10 November 1942. Taking the helm of the DALLAS and steering her across a dangerous bar while heavy seas were breaking, Monsieur Malavergne, with utter disregard for the possibility of death or capture, successfully piloted the vessel through a narrow entrance between the jetties of Oued Sebou and up that river to a point off the Port Lyautey Airfield. Although the channel was restricted at many points by wreckage of scuttled merchant ships and the entire passage was hampered by heavy fire from artillery, machine guns and snipers, he carried out his task with cool courage and competent skill, thereby enabling the DALLAS to accomplish a hazardous and extremely important mission. By his gallant conduct on this occasion, Monsieur Malavergne distinguished himself as a brave and patriotic Frenchman, loyally serving his country in the cause of right.