Clyde Neil Andrews, Second Mate on SS Heffron 07/05/42

For heroism beyond the line of duty. The ship upon which he served was without defense armament, except for two 30 caliber machine guns, mounted without protective shielding, on the bridge [PQ-16] . During six days of continuous attack, Andrews manned one of these guns, and aided in successfully standing off numerous dive-bombing attacks. On one occasion, while picking up survivors from another vessel, two enemy bombers attacked within a hundred feet of his ship. Andrews' position was sprayed with machine gun bullets--his life jacket was nearly torn off by the enemy's fire--but he continued to pour bullets into the nose of the nearest dive-bomber, causing it to lift from its dive and over-shoot with a string of four bombs. Homeward-bound his ship was mined and sunk [QP-13]. On this occasion, Andrews, with complete disregard for his own safety, exhibited exceptional courage and skill in moving injured men into the lifeboats. His personal courage and devotion to duty will be an enduring inspiration to seamen of the United States Merchant Marine everywhere.

For the President
Admiral Emory Scott Land

Edward Michael Fetherston, Third Mate on SS Heffron 07/05/42

For heroism beyond the line of duty. The ship in which he served was without defense armament, except for two .30 caliber machine guns mounted without protective shielding on the bridge [PQ-16]. During six days of continuous attack Fetherston manned one of these guns and aided in successfully standing-off numerous dive-bombing attacks. On one occasion, while picking up survivors from another ship, two enemy bombers attacked within a hundred feet of his ship. Fetherston's position was heavily sprayed with machine gun bullets from the attacking planes, but he continued to pour bullets into the nose of the nearest dive-bomber causing it to lift from its dive and over-shoot with a string of four bombs. Homeward bound his ship again encountered enemy action and was mined and sunk [QP-13]. On this occasion, Fetherston, with complete disregard for his own safety, exhibited exceptional courage and skill in moving injured men into the lifeboats and personally rescued an injured and helpless fireman whose life would have been lost without his aid. His admirable courage and devotion to duty will be an enduring inspiration to seamen of the United States Merchant Marine everywhere.

For the President
Admiral Emory Scott Land

Edward D. Geddes, Master SS Heffron 07/05/42

For distinguished service in the line of duty. His ship, SS Heffron, was in an early Russia bound convoy [PQ-16] which, for six days and nights, was subjected to continuous submarine and air attacks. Hemmed in by ice packs the convoy was forced to run the gauntlet under the severest weather conditions. The ship was without defense armament except for two .30 caliber machine guns. Enemy planes often came within 100 feet of the ship but were fought off by the fine direction of the light armament. Thrice he out-maneuvered aerial torpedoes and once evaded a torpedo fired by a submarine. In face of all the enemy could do in the air, on the surface, and under the sea, his expert seamanship and the magnificent discipline of his crew brought the ship to her destination. Captain Geddes' personal courage and fine leadership were in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Merchant Marine.

For the President
Admiral Emory Scott Land