海軍のメダルの中では、最高格のメダルで、 これより上位になるメダルは全軍共通の議会名誉章しかありません。

Criteria: The Navy Cross may be awarded to any person who, while serving with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes himself in action by extraordinary heroism not justifying an award of the Medal of Honor. The action must take place under one of three circumstances: while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party. To earn a Navy Cross the act to be commended must be performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk and must be performed in such a manner as to render the individual highly conspicuous among others of equal grade, rate, experience, or position of responsibility. An accumulation of minor acts of heroism does not justify an award of the Navy Cross.

多分本人が豪語していた大戦中のフィリピンでマッカーサー元帥を救出したときにでも受賞したのでしょうね。

海軍のメダルの中では、６番目に高位になる格のメダルで、 所謂『名誉の負傷』が受賞対象になります。

これも多分 大戦中に負傷したのでしょう。