The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign William G. Sprague, United States Navy (Reserve Force), for distinguished service in the line of his profession on 26 October 1918, as Pilot of a Seaplane, in attacking and probably destroying an enemy submarine, sighted by him near an important convoy, which he thus efficiently protected. Ensign Sprague was killed in a landing accident when coming back from this action.