The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Charles Edward Courtney, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. ROWAN, engaged in the important, exacting and hazardous duty of patrolling the waters infested with enemy submarines and mines, in escorting and protecting vitally important convoys of troops and supplies through these waters and in offensive and defensive action, vigorously and unremittingly prosecuted against all forms of enemy naval activity during World War I.