The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Commander William A. Glassford, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SHAW upon the occasion of the collision between that vessel and H.M.S. AQUTANITA on 9 October 1918, when his presence of mind, prompt and courageous action and resolute persistence and further, as a result of the splendid discipline of those under his command, the SHAW was saved from becoming a total loss and was safely brought into port after her bow had been completely severed from the remainder of the ship, and the ship still further endangered by fire and by threatened explosion of ammunition.