The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Gunner’s Mate Joseph Steffen, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in Command of both gun crews of the U.S.S. Frank H. Buck at the time of an engagement with an enemy submarine, doing the spotting for the after 6-inch gun. By his coolness and masterful handling of the gun’s crew during the engagement, which lasted 29 minutes, it is believed that the enemy submarine was sunk.