The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Carpenter’s Mate E. Artimas Chastain, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving on the U.S.S. Nokomis. On the night of 11 January 1918, while that vessel was at sea a wave broke over the stern, smashing the depth bomb launching device. The bomb was hurled on board and the bomb float which was detached started forward in the wash water. Chief Carpenter’s Mate Chastain threw himself down on the float holding it and remaining buried in water until assistance reached him, when the bomb was secured, this preventing the bomb from firing and detonating the other bombs.