The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Boatswain’s Mate William Ahlfors, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service as Commander of the Armed Guard of the S.S. PATHFINDER, and in an encounter with an enemy submarine. On 27 September 1917, a torpedo was sighted, which passed under the ship without striking. A periscope appeared, and a shot was fired at it, when it disappeared. When it reappeared, two shots were fired, one of which was reported as a hit. The periscope then finally disappeared.