The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain [then Commander] Kenneth Mortimer Hoeffel (NSN: 0-10822), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces as Commander, Inshore patrol, SIXTEENTH Naval District, on board the River Gunboat U.S.S. MINDANAO (PR-8), in the Manila Bay Area, from 11 to 31 December 1941. With the many merchant vessels in Manila Bay subjected to repeated bombings by the Japanese shortly after the outbreak of hostilities, Captain Hoeffel immediately gathered his patrol units in that area and, with the anti-aircraft fire of his vessels, successfully repulsed the enemy's dive-bombing attacks. When approximately eighty of the merchant vessels had been safely evacuated to Australian waters, he concentrated his forces at the entrance to Manila Bay and carefully patrolled these waters, continuing to engage the enemy on every contact and to resist numerous assaults by enemy horizontal and dive bombers. During the latter part of December, when all vessels were forced to seek the immediate protection of Corregidor and to anchor close inshore, he directed the units of the Inshore Patrol in landing their crews during the day and in carrying out their patrol duties after dark. Captain Hoeffel's efficient leadership, courage and determination in fulfilling a hazardous mission reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
