The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Richmond Pearson Hobson, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor in action in connection with the sinking of the U.S.S. MERRIMAC at the entrance to the fortified harbor of Santiago de Cuba, 3 June 1898. Despite persistent fire from the enemy fleet and fortifications on shore, Lieutenant Hobson distinguished himself by extraordinary courage and carried out this operation at the risk of his own personal safety.