The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Gunner’s Mate Claire G. Sears, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander of the Armed Guard of the S.S. Cubore. On 15 August 1918, that ship was torpedoed. The guns were manned but the submarine was not sighted. The Commander of the Armed Guard secured confidential papers and threw them overboard, went below to see all persons were out of the ship, and was the last man to leave. The Commander of the Armed Guard is considered to have handled the situation in a highly commendable manner.