The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Blacksmith First Class Joseph J. Greis, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, when the U.S.S. Conyngham was at sea in a heavy storm on 7 November 1918. A heavy sea came over the stern, releasing several depth charges, which rolled around the deck and two went overboard. Blacksmith First Class Greis went to the assistance of another man who rushed down in an attempt to prevent more charges going overboard. They managed to hold the charges at great personal danger and later were assisted in securing them, by two other men.