Navy Cross

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Boatswain's Mate Second Class Wallace A. King, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a member of the crew of boats sent out from the U.S.S. CHRISTABEL 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 crews of the CHRISTABEL's boats drove their boats into the burning mass without thought of danger to themselves and, assisted by boats from the other ships present in the harbor, succeeded in saving the lives of many men who, but for the help so promptly and heroically extended, must have perished in the wreckage.

Action Date: 17-Apr-18

Service: Navy

Rank: Boatswain's Mate Second Class

Division: U.S.S. Christabel

Submitted by Doug Bewall RMCM USN Ret