The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Walker Ten Eyke Weed, United States Navy (Reserve Force), for extraordinary heroism on 26 February 1918, when the seaplane Z-312 fell to the ground and burst into flames. Ensign Weed having extricated himself from the wreckage and reached a point of safety, perceived that his observer was still imprisoned in the wreckage and surrounded by flames of burning gasoline. He at once returned to the burning machine and succeeded in extricating the observer, suffering injuries from burning which later resulted in his death.