The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Gunner’s Mate Thomas James Beerman, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in Command of the Armed Guard of the steamship BORINQUEN, and in an encounter with an enemy submarine. On 30 October 1917, at night, he sighted an enemy submarine close aboard lying on the surface. His ship fired four shots, of which the second and third struck the submarine and exploded. The submarine sank after the fourth shot, stern down, the bow sticking up in the air, and is believed to have been damaged, if not destroyed.