The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Seaman Daniel Joseph Coleman, United States Navy (Reserve Force), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving on the U.S.S. Alcedo, when that vessel was torpedoed and sunk on 5 November 1917. After abandoning the ship, Seaman Coleman had succeeded in getting on a crowded life raft, when another man approached the raft. Seaman Coleman, without hesitation, slipped off the raft and swam away in search of another raft or life boat, abandoning his place to another. He eventually found other support and was saved.