Robert James Biel
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The Navy Cross is awarded to Chief Gunner’s Mate Robert James Biel, U.S. Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as commander of the Armed Guard of the U.S.S. Orion, and in encounters with enemy submarines. On August 7, 1917, an enemy submarine was sighted, which appeared and disappeared several times. Each time it appeared, fire was opened on it, and it finally disappeared in a rain squall. On September 17, 1917 sighted an enemy submarine, which launched a torpedo, missing the ship. Ship opened fire on the submarine, which disappeared. On September 27th, sighted a submarine, and fired three shots, no further action.