The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Gunner’s Mate John Demarest, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander of the Armed Guard of the S.S. Brindilla, and in an encounter with an enemy submarine. On 27 October 1918, a submarine was sighted awash and fire opened on it for half an hour, during which thirteen shots were fired, some of which appeared to be hits. The submarine then submerged and disappeared.