The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Gunner’s Mate Edward Barnhardt, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander of the Armed Guard of the S.S. CHARLES E. HARWOOD, and in an encounter with an enemy submarine. On 16 October 1917, while in convoy, he sighted a periscope and fired a shot. The submarine disappeared, shortly afterwards reappearing, when ten shots were fired which struck close aboard and the submarine finally disappeared.