Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Water Tender Second Class, U.S. Navy R

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY CROSS to
CLIFFORD E. SNELL, WATERTENDER SECOND CLASS UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
''For extraordinary heroism and courageous devotion to duty as a member of the boiler crew of No. 1 Fireroom aboard the U.S.S. YORKTOWN during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942. During an intense bombing attack, the explosion of an enemy bomb in the uptakes of the forward group of boilers extinguished the fires in all boilers except No.1 and filled all boiler rooms with heavy smoke and gases. In spite of the heat, stifling fumes and the imminence of explosion, SNELL, with complete disregard for his own personal safety assisted in keeping the boiler under steam with two burners still going, thus providing steam to keep the ship's auxiliary power in operation. His capable performance of this task helped to make it possible for the YORKTOWN to attain the speed necessary for launching fighting planes in time to oppose a Japanese aerial torpedo attack and to steam at 23 knots until hit by enemy torpedoes. SNELL's heroic conduct on this occasion was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."