The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade William Kuen Paynter, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while Commanding Motor Torpedo Boat THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO (PT-362), which was engaged with another in a patrol of enemy-held waters in the Southwest Pacific Area, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Paynter closed the beach to make a firing run on an enemy vessel. The other ship suffered a disabling hit which left her lying dead in the water directly in front of enemy batteries. Without hesitation, and with complete disregard for his own life, he took his vessel between the active shore batteries and his sister ship, and made runs on the batteries in an effort to silence the guns and enable the crippled vessel to effect repairs. When requested to come alongside and take them in tow, he smartly brought his ship around and made preparations for towing. At this moment the Commanding Officer of his sister ship requested that personnel be evacuated from his vessel and gave the command to abandon ship. He successfully evacuated all but one man of the entire crew, many of whom were wounded. The intensity and accuracy of enemy fire throughout the entire action was such that several men on board his own ship were also wounded. His courage, cool judgment, and decisive action enabled an otherwise helpless crew to be saved. The exceptional bravery, aggressive leadership, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Paynter were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.