The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Turret Captain Harry Waterhouse, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service as Commanding Officer of the Armed Guard of the steamship S.S. PETROLITE, at the time of the sinking of the PETROLITE by a submarine on 10 June 1917. The account of the torpedoing indicates that members of the Armed Guard under his command were imbued with proper zeal and that they were well trained and efficient, and that he handled the situation in a most excellent manner.