The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Assistant Machinist William L. Boyce, United States Coast Guard, for distinguished and heroic service in the line of his profession as an officer of the U.S.S. Seneca in volunteering as one of a party to board the British Steamer Wellington, following the torpedoing of that vessel on 16 September 1918, and her abandonment by her crew. Assistant Machinist Boyce was placed in charge of the machinery of the Wellington and through his efforts in handling the Power plant, the vessel, although fatally damaged, was able to continue on her course for port for twelve hours; then, owing to heavy weather and rapid rising of the water in the holds, a bulkhead gave way, flooding the engine and fire rooms. Even then, Machinist Boyce and his men stuck to their posts until steam was blown down sufficiently to prevent danger of explosion to the boilers. In the attempt to abandon ship when his services were no longer of any use Machinist Boyce lost his life.