The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Boatswain’s Mate Ross Eslinger, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving on the U.S.S. PATUXENT. While mine sweeping on the North Sea Barrage on 12 May 1919, it became necessary to clear a mine from a kite. Boatswain’s Mate Eslinger volunteered for this work. Some minutes after its arrival at the surface the mine exploded. He had been on the fan tail working within a few feet of the mine, but took cover just in time to escape the fragments. After the explosion, not withstanding his weakened condition due to the explosion, he went overboard and rescued a shipmate, who had been blown into the water. He also gave valuable assistance in rescuing other men who were overboard, and in clearing away the wreckage from the explosion. Before and after the explosion he displayed courage and excellent seamanship.