The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Sergeant William Paul (MCSN: 170264), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism on 12 May 1930 while serving with the First Provisional Brigade of Marines (Gendarmerie d’Haiti), in Haiti. In command of ten gardes, First Sergeant Paul accompanied a party of Government officials to Habitation Deck, Republic of Haiti, for the purpose of seizing state property on which the tenants refused to pay rent. Two hundred and fifty of these inhabitants were armed with machetes and spears and refused to permit the seizures. First Sergeant Paul was subjected to considerable danger in attempting to disarm the mob, and although he was struck on the head with a rock, knocked down and dazed, he continued to expose himself to personal danger. By his quick decision and excellent judgment he succeeded in escorting the party of Government officials to a place of safety and successfully executed his mission without firing into the mob.