The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Boatswain’s Mate Elmer Dennis Arnold, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in Command of the Armed Guard on board the American S.S. CHINCHA during an engagement with an enemy submarine. On 21 March 1918, the enemy submarine was sighted and an engagement followed. A shot from the submarine hit the after gun, wounding the commander, and killing and wounding others. The ship landed four shots close to the submarine, which then disappeared.