The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander William Lee Pryor, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession in Command of the Naval Ammunition Depot, St. Julians Creek, during World War I. Commander Pryor had the task of providing and arming merchantmen and other auxiliaries and of supplying the main fleet of the Navy in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and vicinity. In addition to this he was charged with the work of the first mine-laying plant ever developed in this or any other country and with its operation. This work was conducted so efficiently that the bureau was able to keep so many loaded mines available for overseas work that the North Sea barrage was planted without any delay due to lack of material.