The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander William Rudolph Thayer (NSN: 0-58253), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. JARVIS (DD-393), when on 28 January 1942, his ship, together with the U.S.S. LONG, participated in a successful engagement with the enemy, causing the sinking of a Japanese submarine. The conduct of Commander Thayer throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.