William P Burford’s Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY CROSS to

William P Burford

Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to William P Burford, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, for exceptional courage, presence of mind, and devotion to duty and disregard for his personal safety while serving as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. MONAGHAN (DD-354), during the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941. During the sortie of the U.S.S. MONAGHAN from Pearl Harbor, a Japanese submarine was sighted in the harbor. Despite the severe enemy bombing and strafing at the time, Lieutenant Commander Burford, through skillful handling of his ship at high speed in the shoal water and at a bend in the channel, attacked and destroyed the submarine by ramming and with depth charges; and completed the sortie from the harbor in an outstanding manner. The conduct of Lieutenant Commander Burford throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.