The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Parley Dale Thompson (NSN: 0-171450), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of this profession as Medical Officer on board the Destroyer U.S.S. DREXLER (DD-741), on the morning of 28 May 1945, when the DREXLER was subjected to a heavy, coordinated air attack and sunk by Japanese suicide planes north of Okinawa. When the first plane hit the ship several men were wounded, some of whom were taken to the Forward Battle Dressing Station in the wardroom. As Medical Officer in Charge of this station, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Thompson administered to the wounded in the midst of continued air attacks and his own ship’s gunfire. When the ship was heavily hit again and began to turn over rapidly on her side, he attempted, unselfishly and without regard to his own safety, to remove the wounded from the wardroom. He was last seen attempting to remove a badly wounded man from the wardroom and was missing in action. His unselfishness, courage, and devotion to duty are a source of inspiration to all his shipmates and were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States. He gallantly gave his life for his country.