The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Radioman Second Class Clifford Luther Christian (NSN: 8776058), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving on board the Escort Carrier U.S.S. MANILA BAY (CVE-61), in action against the enemy on 5 January 1945, in the China Sea. His vessel was engaged in directly supporting the landing of troops at Lingayen Gulf, Philippine Islands, when an enemy air attack caused serious battle damage to the ship. Although severely shocked and dazed by the blast, he jeopardized his own life in evacuating wounded shipmates. Before firefighting parties arrived on the scene he made three trips through dense smoke and fire into a compartment which had been demolished by the explosion, and in each instance brought out a wounded man to safety. On his fourth trip, weakened by blistered lungs and toxic fumes, he preceded the fire-fighting party into the demolished and smoldering space and collapsed while attempting to lift a wounded man. Upon being revived, he again attempted to carry the man from the compartment but lacked the strength to do so, and left only when an officer present ordered two men to remove him from the scene. For five days thereafter, because of severe injury to his lungs his survival was in grave doubt. His great courage and dauntless determination to aid his wounded shipmates were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.