Captain WILLIAM J. GERMERSHAUSEN, received the Navy Cross while a Commander for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Spadefish during the Fifth War Patrol of that vessel in enemy Japanese-controlled waters near the Western Honshu coast from May 27 to July 4, 1945. Penetrating strong antisubmarine barriers, Commander Germershausen directed his vessel deep into the shallow water of an enemy harbor to launch torpedo and gun attacks which resulted in the sinking of six hostile ships and four small craft for a total of 26,050 tons. Skillfully evading strong enemy countermeasures, he withdrew from the danger area and brought his vessel safe to port. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Commander Germershausen and the United States Naval Service.

Captain Germershausen joined the Legion of Valor in 1962 and resided in Hawaii.