The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander William Herman Brockman, Jr. (NSN: 0-61342), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. NAUTILUS (SS-168), in the Battle of Midway. On 4 June 1942, Lieutenant Commander Brockman aggressively developed a contact with major enemy forces and doggedly pushed home a torpedo attack on a screened aircraft carrier against determined and repeated enemy counter measures by gunfire barrage, depth charging and bombing from the air. The attack culminated successfully and Lieutenant Commander Brockman is credited with closing and sinking of a 10,000 ton enemy aircraft carrier. His skill, determination, courage and fortitude were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander William Herman Brockman, Jr. (NSN: 0-61342), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. NAUTILUS (SS-168), on the FIRST War Patrol of that submarine from 10 June 1942 to 11 July 1942, in the Southwest Pacific. During a period of eleven days, while on station patrolling in enemy controlled waters, Lieutenant Commander Brockman delivered five attacks against the enemy and, in spite of having been driven down on three occasions, the NAUTILUS succeeded in sinking a 1,700-ton enemy Japanese destroyer and a 1,500-ton patrol vessel. Although severe anti-submarine measures had caused considerable material damage, Lieutenant Commander Brockman’s extreme courage and expert seamanship enabled him to bring his ship and crew home safely without loss or injury, and his conduct throughout the performance of a difficult and dangerous mission was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander William Herman Brockman, Jr. (NSN: 0-61342), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. NAUTILUS (SS-168), during the FOURTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 13 December 1942 to 4 February 1943, in Japanese waters. Lieutenant Commander Brockman adeptly and daringly maneuvered his ship into positions from which to strike the enemy, and aggressively attacked, sinking one MINEKAZE Class destroyer, probably sinking on 9,000-ton transport and one 5,000-ton cargo ship, and damaging one MOGAMI Class heavy cruiser and one 10,000-ton tanker. Throughout this patrol he handled his ship expertly to avoid damage from enemy counter measures. Further, under perilous conditions, he successfully evacuated twenty-nine civilians from an island occupied by the enemy. His actions and conduct are a continuation of his illustrious record, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.