The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Seaman Second Class Philip J. Burger, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving on the U.S.S. JACOB JONES. After that vessel was torpedoed on 6 December 1917, at the risk of almost certain death, Seaman Second Class Burger remained in the motor sailer and endeavored to get it clear for floating from the ship. He failed to accomplish this in time and was drawn under water with the boat, but later came to the surface and was rescued.