On board the U.S.S. Florida, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the seizure of Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 April 1914. Cregan was ashore when he volunteered for an assault detail under Ens. George Maus Lowry on the Vera Cruz customhouse under enemy fire both in the alley between the customhouse and warehouse and the assault over the objective's walls. During the move up the alley, he tended a wounded comrade, J.F. Schumaker, holding a compress with one hand and firing with the other.
Presented by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels on the deck of the USS Florida at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York.
Additional information on his action comes from U.S. Navy General Order No. 101, dated June 15, 1914: The other four volunteers in this action were Lawrence C. Sinnett, Harry C. Beasley, Joseph G. Harner, and J. F. Schumacker. All except for Schumacker received the Medal of Honor.