The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Engineman First Class Milton W. Confer, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 13 February 1970 while serving in the Republic of Vietnam as an Advisor to the Patrol Officer in charge of two Vietnamese River Patrol Boats which were escorting a resupply mission to advanced tactical support bases. The column included two heavy logistics craft loaded with seven tons of ammunition and a fuel barge with eight thousand gallons of fuel. Suddenly, both banks of the narrow river erupted in a storm of enemy rocket and heavy machine gun fire. With his patrol boat situated between the heaviest enemy firing positions and the transports, Petty Officer Confer attempted to man the after fifty-caliber machine gun but was knocked to the deck as the first of several rockets hit his boat. He then manned the midships gun and fired suppressive volleys into the enemy positions until his ammunition was exploded. Subsequently, he again attempted to man the after gun. This time he was wounded in the side by an enemy bullet, but succeeded in firing the gun until he was obliged to direct his boat alongside one of the logistics craft to rearm. While rearming, his boat received numerous heavy machine gun hits which damaged both engines and started a fire. Despite his painful wound, Petty Officer Confer began another firing run on the heaviest of the enemy positions as the boats finally neared the end of the kill zone. Only when he was relieved by units scrambled to aid his beleaguered convoy did he attend to his wound. By his great personal valor and dauntless perseverance, Petty Officer Confer contributed in large measure to the success of the mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.