Navy Patrol Bombing Squadrons 102/14 Association

Patrol Bombing Squadron 102
Navy Cross Recipient
WAYNE RORMAN

U.S. Navy Cross

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
NAVY CROSS MEDAL
to

LIEUTENANT WAYNE DARIS RORMAN
UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE

LIEUTENANT WAYNE D. RORMAN
for service as set forth in the following

Citation

"For extraordinary heroism as Commander of a Liberator Search Bomber in Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWO in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Western Pacific War Area on March 27, 1945. Undaunted by intense hostile anti- aircraft fire, Lieutenant Rorman courageously pressed home a daring and determined low-level bombing attack to destroy a heavily-armed enemy picket boat. With his plane severely damaged by fire from the hostile craft, he exercised brilliant airmanship in bringing his plane safe to base. By his courage, gallant fighting spirit and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Rorman upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

For the President,

NAVY CROSS

The Navy Cross was created by an Act of Congress on 4 February 1919. The original wording of the Act, which was established by Public Law 253, outlined the requirements for award of the Navy Cross as "…extraordinary heroism or distinguished service in the line of his profession, such heroism or distinguished service not being sufficient to justify a Medal of Honor or Distinguished Service Medal." This wording of the law created a problem for commanders in that the same law restricted award of the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) to meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great responsibility. By its wording the law seemed to indicate that the Navy Cross was inferior, in order of precedence, to the Distinguished Service Medal. However, only the Navy Cross could be awarded for combat heroism. This confusion was cleared up by Public Law 702 on 7 August 1942. This Act of Congress restricted the Navy Cross to combat heroism and placed it above the Navy DSM in precedence. Over 4.3 Million Men and women served during WW II. Only 2,300 Navy Cross's were awarded.