The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Gunner’s Mate William H. Sherer, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander of the Armed Guard of the S.S. Desota and in an encounter with an enemy submarine. On 24 July 1918, another ship in the convoy was torpedoed, and later a periscope was sighted from the ship. One shot was fired, which struck the object, which disappeared.