The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant James Almond Saunders, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession on the occasion of the torpedoing of the U.S.S. CASSIN on 15 October 1917. Following the explosion, it was found that smoke was pouring out of the handling room, immediately adjoining the magazine. Lieutenant Saunders, Lieutenant J. W. McClaran, and Chief Machinist’s Mate F. R. Fisher went into the compartment, well knowing what degree of danger might be incurred in so doing, opened and inspected the magazine and located the course of the fire, which was found to be outside of the magazine.