William W. Outerbridge’s Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to

William W. Outerbridge

Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. WARD (DD-139), during the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. Lieutenant Outerbridge conducted operations on patrol off the Pearl Harbor entrance which resulted in destruction of a Japanese submarine at 6:40 a.m., 7 December 1941, more than an hour before the attack on Pearl Harbor. The conduct of Lieutenant Commander Outerbridge throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.