James A. Bagley

The Navy Cross is awarded to Machinist’s Mate First Class James A. Bagley, U.S. Navy, for distinguished conduct and devotion to duty while serving on the U.S.S. Wakiva in an engagement with an enemy submarine on November 28, 1917. Machinist’s Mate First Class Bagley was on duty in the starboard engine room when depth charges were released. They exploded so near that everyone below thought the Wakiva had been torpedoed. The firemen started from the fire room to the engine room to go on deck. Bagley, by his firmness and coolness induced the men to return to their fires, and by his words and example inspired the engine and fire room forces, so that throughout the engagement the vessel operated with a full head of steam.