The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Commander Walter Newhall Vernou, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. CASSIN, engaged in the hazardous duty of patrolling the waters infested with enemy submarines and mines, in escorting and protecting vitally important convoys of troops and supplies through these waters, and in offensive and defensive action, vigorously and unremittingly prosecuted against all forms of enemy naval activity, and especially for a successful engagement with a German submarine on 15 October 1917.