The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Boatswain’s Mate Rufus Wallace Owens, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty on the occasion of the torpedoing of and explosion on the U.S.S. CASSIN on 15 October 1917. Chief Boatswain’s Mate Owens, with other members of the crew, was untiring in his work of shoring up bulkheads, restaying masts, and improvising means of towing. He set an example to the younger and less experienced members of the crew.