The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Watertender Ray Eastman, United States Navy, for distinguished service and devotion to duty while serving on the U.S.S. MOUNT VERNON, when that vessel was torpedoed on 5 September 1918. Watertender Eastman was in a fireroom, and handled his men with coolness when water had gone out of sight in the boilers, lights extinguished and communications broken. His bearing and conduct set an example which was an important factor in maintaining discipline and contributed to the saving of the ship.