The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Seaman First Class William Bernice Wadkins, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in action against the enemy while serving as Coxswain onboard a Mechanized Landing Craft LCM from an attack cargo ship during the amphibious landing on Baanga Island, New Georgia, on 12 August 1943. After skillfully bringing his craft to the beach under fierce machine-gun cross-fire, which set ablaze an ammunition box in the front of the cockpit, Seaman First Class Wadkins turned over his duties to a shipmate and, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, threw the burning explosives overboard. Despite the deadly fire of the enemy, he assisted in holding the boat on the beach, helping the troops who were landing and those who were being evacuated, and administering first aid to the wounded while the boat was backing off the shore. Although he himself was injured, Seaman First Class Wadkins resumed his station in the cockpit and continued to back his craft for almost a mile in order to bring his machine gun to bear on the enemy. The conduct of Seaman First Class Wadkins throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.