The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Gunner’s Mate John Agraz, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Armed Guard of the S.S. Colonel E. L. Drake, and in an encounter with an enemy submarine. On 16 September 1917, a periscope was sighted and the ship swung and fired four shots, the last of which appeared to hit the periscope, which disappeared; the escort proceeded to the location of the submarine. The Commander of the Armed Guard is considered to have successfully accomplished his mission.