Joseph Orleck-The President of The United States takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY CROSS to LIEUTENANT JOSEPH ORLECK, UNITED STATES NAVY for service as set forth in the following citation:For extraordinary heroism in action as Commanding Officer of the USS Nauset during the amphibious invasion of Italy on September 9, 1943. When his ship, approaching the assault area was struck by aerial bombs which caused numerous casualties and consuming fires over the entire boat deck, Lieutenant Orleck calmly and expertly directed the fire-fighting activities, the control of serious flooding and the transfer of of all survivors to the rescue ships. Valient and determined in the face of imminent peril, he remained aboard the stricken Nauset in an attempt to beach her and prevent total loss, working desperately until she struck an enemy mine and sank. Lieutenant Orleck’s  indomitable fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. For the President– Frank Knox, Secretary of the Navy.