The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Engineman First Class Otto Frederick Bruckman, United States Navy, for distinguished service and devotion to duty while serving on the U.S.S. CUYAMA, on 19 September 1918, at sea, when an ammonia feed pipe of the refrigerating system broke, discharging a tank full of ammonia into the engineroom. Engineman First Class Bruckman was one of a party of five who entered the engine room filled with ammonia fumes and rescued those overcome by the fumes, and did repair work, thus risking his life.