Almost immediately there was a tremendous explosion forward, which made the ship appear to rise out of the water, shudder and settle down by the bow rapidly. The whole forward part of the ship was enveloped in flames which were spreading rapidly, and wounded and burned men were pouring out of the ship to the quarterdeck. Despite these conditions, his harrowing experience, and severe enemy bombing and strafing, at the time, Lieutenant Commander Fuqua continued to direct the fighting of fires in order to check them while the wounded and burned could be taken from the ship, and supervised the rescue of these men in such an amazingly calm and cool manner and with such excellent judgement, that it inspired everyone who saw him and undoubtedly resulted in the saving of many lives.
Almost immediately there was a significant explosion forward, causing the ship to rise out of the water, shake violently, and settle by the bow quickly. The front part of the vessel was engulfed in flames that spread rapidly, and wounded and burned individuals were exiting the ship onto the quarterdeck. Despite these conditions—his harrowing experience and intense enemy bombing and strafing—he continued to direct firefighting efforts to control them while injured men were evacuated from the ship, and supervised their rescue with an amazingly calm and composed demeanor and excellent judgment, inspiring everyone who saw him and undoubtedly saving many lives.