The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Vincent Arthur Clarke, Jr., United States Navy, for distinguished and heroic action as Commanding Officer of the U. S. AL-10, engaged in the important, exacting and hazardous duty of patrolling the waters infested by enemy submarines, destroyers and mines, protecting vitally important convoys of troops and supplies; and in offensive and defensive action, vigorously and unremittingly prosecuted against all forms of enemy naval activity during World War I.