The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Boatswain’s Mate Darwin Jewell Aveilhe, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander of the Armed Guard of the S.S. Pioneer, and in an engagement with an enemy submarine. On 2 March 1918, when that vessel was in a company with a British Merchantman, a submarine was sighted and opened fire, shells falling near the Pioneer. Three shots were fired at the submarine, which then continued after the British vessel, and both ships finally escaped.