William E. Burch

The Navy Cross is awarded to Seaman William E. Burch, U.S. Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service rendered when the U.S.S. William Rockefeller was sunk by a torpedo on the night of May 18, 1918. Seaman Burch remained at his station until the ship was so far down at the stern end that the guns could not be manned. Burch went to the magazines, opened the same, and stood by until called to see that ammunition was sent to the guns