The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (posthumously) to Millard Jefferson Klein, Lieutenant Commander, US Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the destroyer USS Buck (DD 420, during an attack on an enemy submarine while on convoy escort off the Island of Pantelleria in the Mediterranean Sea, on 3 August 1943. Contacting the hostile vessel which was preparing to attack the convoy, Lieutenant Commander Klein skillfully maneuvered for vigorous and aggressive action, depth charging the submarine and forcing her to the surface where the guns of USS Buck completed her destruction, resulting in the subsequent capture of prisoners. Lieutenant Commander Klein's inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of this vital mission and reflects great credit upon the United States Naval Service.