The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Gunner’s Mate John Francis Bohan, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander of the Armed Guard of the S. S. VIRGINIAN, and in an engagement with an enemy submarine. On 10 June 1917, a torpedo was observed and the ship maneuvered so that it missed. The submarine then opened fire, which was returned by the ship, which fired sixteen shots. The submarine then disappeared.