Joseph Riley

The Navy Cross is awarded to Chief Gunner’s Mate Joseph Riley, U.S. Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander of the Armed Guard of the S.S. Montanan. On August 15, 1917, two torpedoes were sighted and the vessel was maneuvered so that they missed; a third torpedo, however struck the ship and exploded. The submarine was sighted. The explosion jammed the forward gun and the after gun could not be trained in the direction of the attack. The Commander of the Armed Guard secured confidential papers and finally jumped overboard. The Commander of the Armed Guard is considered to have handled the situation in a highly commendable manner.