William Killan Romoser

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to William Killan Romoser, Commander, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. RADFORD (DD-446), during operations in Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands, on 4 – 6 July 1943. While in a taskforce supporting troop landings at New Georgia Island, Commander Romoser cleverly covered these vital activities by accurate screening, and effectively silenced enemy shore batteries. After refueling his ship, he rejoined the task force group to participate in an engagement with a numerically superior enemy force, continuing his performance until all hostile vessels were destroyed, or severely crippled. When a cruiser of his group was discovered to be sunk, Commander Romoser returned to the scene with another destroyer to save 440 survivors. Forced to abandon these efforts, he lad a further attack and sank two more enemy vessels and damaged a third. Commander Romoser’s inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital missions and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 321 (December 1943)