The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Fireman First Class John Walter Ehle, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action on board the U.S.S. Concord off Cavite, Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, 21 May 1898. Following the blowing out of a lower manhole plate joint on Boiler B of that vessel, Fireman First Class Ehle assisted in hauling the fires in the hot, vapor-filled atmosphere which necessitated the playing of water into the fireroom from a hose.