The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Howard Richardson Eccleston, United States Navy (Reserve Force), for extraordinary heroism in charge of a boat sent out from the U.S.S. CORONA to the rescue of men from the S.S. FLORENCE “H”, which vessel, loaded with explosives, was burned in the harbor of Quiberon on the night of the 17th of April, 1918. Almost immediately after the outbreak of fire the water in the vicinity of FLORENCE “H” was covered with burning powder boxes, many of which exploded, scattering flames throughout the wreckage. The officers and crews of the Corona’s boats drove their boats into the burning mass and succeeded in saving the lives of many men, who, but for the help so promptly and heroically extended, must have perished in the wreckage.