The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Keeper Jesse G. Hearon, United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service during the explosion and fire of the Gillespie shell-loading plant, at Morgan, New Jersey, on 4 and 5 October 1918. Keeper Hearon remained in charge in a very dangerous zone with shell fragments flying in the vicinity, standing bravely at his post for hours and hours.