The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Carpenter’s Mate M. Gans Bratton, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty on the occasion of the torpedoing of and explosion on the U.S.S. CASSIN, 15 October 1917. Chief Carpenter’s Mate Bratton, with other members of the crew, was untiring in his work of shoring up bulkheads, restating masts and improvising means of towing. They set an example to the younger and less experienced members of the crew.