Cecil D. Riggs’ Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to

Cecil D. Riggs

Lieutenant Commander (MC), U.S. Navy

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for distinguished service in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage, and disregard of personal danger while serving as a Medical Officer at Naval Air Station, Pearl Harbor, during the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. Despite the severe enemy bombing and strafing of the Naval Air Station, Pearl Harbor, Lieutenant Commander Riggs, on duty at the time, immediately reorganized the medical facilities available to care for the many wounded men arriving at the station from the damaged ships. By his courage, determination, and untiring devotion to duty, Lieutenant Commander Riggs saved many lives. His professional ability, courage, and inspiring devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Medical Corps and the United States Naval Service.