The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Watertender Second Class Robert Wallace Durette, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Petty Officer on board the Destroyer Escort U.S.S. STAFFORD (DE-411), in action against the enemy on 5 January 1945, in the Southwest Pacific War Area. When his fireroom had been heavily damaged and opened to the sea by a crashing enemy aircraft, Watertender Second Class Durette quickly and calmly took the necessary action to prevent fires. Although he was wounded, he removed all the dead and injured, in spite of the rapid flooding of the compartment. His courage and skill undoubtedly prevented a serious fire in the boiler-room as well as saving the lives of two of his wounded shipmates. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.