The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Quartermaster First Class Robert L. Easley, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty on the occasion of the collision of the U.S.S. SHAW with H.M.S. AQUITANIA, when the Shaw was cut in two and set on fire. With others, Quartermaster First Class Easley remained on board and was indefatigable in efforts to save the ship, fighting the fire, plugging the gash in the side, and in working the ship into port.