The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Gunner’s Mate William H. Seligman, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander of the Armed Guard of the S.S. Suffolk, and in an encounter with an enemy submarine. On 27 February 1918, the convoy was attacked by an enemy submarine, and two ships torpedoed. A periscope was sighted from the ship, and five shots fired, which struck close to the submarine, which then disappeared.