The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Darcy V. Shouldice (NSN: 0-99333), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commander of Mine Division 31 and in Tactical Command of that Division during mine sweeping operations off Wonsan Harbor, on the Coast of Korea, on 12 October 1950. When two heavy mine sweepers of another Division were mined within a few minutes of each other and were still under severe enemy gunfire from hostile shore batteries, Lieutenant Commander Shouldice led his Division into supporting positions exposed to enemy fire in order to rescue survivors and to take in tow a third heavy mine sweeper. Maneuvering his command skillfully throughout this operation in un-swept and densely mined waters, he returned effective gunfire against enemy shore batteries until his Division and tow had reached safe waters without further loss or serious damage. In the following days, Lieutenant Commander Shouldice continued to lead his Division in the vital task of sweeping heavily mined areas until an anchorage and a channel had been cleared to the landing beaches, thereby contributing essentially to the success of Naval operations in the Wonsan area. His inspiring leadership and gallant devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.