The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Watertender William H. Best, United States Coast Guard, for extraordinary heroism as a member of crew of the U.S.S. SENECA in an attempt to save the coal-laden steamer WELLINGTON after that vessel had been torpedoed on 16 September 1918. Immediately after the ship was torpedoed she was abandoned by her crew. Volunteers were called from the SENECA. Watertender Best with seventeen other men volunteered, although there was a high sea running and it was known that the ship was in danger of sinking and that there was danger also of further submarine attack. The vessel was kept afloat for some hours, but finally sank. Of the eighteen men who volunteered, only eight were rescued. Watertender Best being on e of the ten who were drowned.