Rear Admiral Rollo N. Norgaard, NC received the Navy Cross for his extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HYMANN in action against enemy Japanese forces off Okinawa, 6 April 1945. Undaunted by the terrific onslaught when seven Japanese suicide planes viciously attacked his ship as she proceeded toward an enemy submarine base to take anti-smallboat patrol station, Captain Norgaard aggressively met the attack of the first four planes plunging in rapid succession, shooting down two before another crashed the superstructure deck between the bridge and torpedo mount Number One. Two minutes after the plane hit, one of the warheads on mount Number One detonated, causing a heavy fire inflicting numerous casualties in the immediate vicinity. Stoutly determined to save the ship from spreading flames, Captain Norgaard personally directed the remaining rescue party in extinquishing the fire, repairing part of the damage and restoring the HYMAN to maximum combat efficiency within ten minutes. Handicapped by extensive damage to his vesel when fiercely attacked by three more suicide planes during the return trip, he fiercely countered each attack, shooting down all three as they came within range. A daring and forecful lead despite overwhelming opposition, Captain Norgaard, by his expert seamanship and professional skill, heroically brought the HYMAN to port under her own power.

RADM Norgaard resided in Florida. He joined the Legion of Valor in 1974.