The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1898-04-02
A LIEUTENANT's TRIUMPH.
How He Outranked His Superior Of
acer at n Grand Reception
IN Paris.

It is not often that a lieutenant will
take precedence of a rear admiral. This
Is particularly SO in the United States
navy, and there is but one such case
Ia the reports of the navy department
when the two stars and gold braid OF a
rear admiral were outranked by the
simple decorations of senior heu-
tenant with his two small silver bars.
The affair caused no end of comment
and surprise in naval circles, but for
the first time many of the officers
learned that they had a brother officer
of whom they might well be proud.
The affair happened in Paris only a
few years ago. The officer who was out
ranked by one of his senior lieutenants
was Rear Admiral Thomas o. Self
ridge, who recently hauled down his
flag from the fore truck OF the cruiser
San Francisco, flagship of the Euro
pean squadron. He retired on February
6, having reached the age limit.
1t was during the cruise of the squad
| ron in the Mediterranean, and while
France was in holiday array, that Rear
| Admiral Selfridge was made knight OF
| the Legion of Honor. He received a
red ribbon and silver medal to show
| the rank which he held in that body.
| They were carefully slowed away, and
the time waited for when a function
would take place at which they might
be worn. The time arrived while the
ships of the squadron were off the
French coast.
The officers of the several ships were
invited to attend some festivities in
Paris, which were to be concluded with
a dinner given by the members of the
Legion of Honor to the officers of the
foreign fleets and the naval and mill
tary attaches of the several legations
at Paris. Here was the opportunity that
had been looked for ever since the little
red bow with it's precious decoration
had been received.
A council of the officers was held, and
those who could be spared prepared to
leave the ships and go to Paris. Among
those selected was Lieut.. -. They
were TO remain away several days, and
as the functions included being pre-
sented to the president and other dig
nitaries, more than ordinary prepare
tions had to be made.
The servants were kept busy for the
next few days getting the brass
clothes" of the officers in readiness.
Swords were polished and the ''bul-
lion" braid of the special full-lress uni
forms frightened up. AS the officers
knew they would meet the officers from
the foreign ships and Others who would
wear many medals and decorations,
those from the United States vessels
who had received medals for services
rendered land they were few got them
out and carefully pinned them to their
gold-braided coats.
1t was not until the night of the ban
quet given by the Loyal Legion that
Admiral Selfridge found himself out
ranked by one of his senior lieutenants.
He was not the only surprised one in
the assemblage.
Up TO that time he had received all
the courtesies of his rank as n naval
officer, but the dinner was purely
Legion of Honor one, and, while he
had a seat of honor between two of the
higher officers of the legion, his lieu
tenant was placed at the table with the
higher dignitaries.
At first it could not be understood by
the other officers why Lieut.. - wore
red ribbon. 1t was known he had re-
ccived several medals, but not until
then were his brother officers aware of
the fact that he was a member of the
Legion of Honor.
After the banquet reception was
given to the officers. and this was the
time when it became necessary for Rear
Admiral Selfridge to assemble with the
knights of the Loyal Legion, while the
lieutenant took his place with the Off
GERS of that body. The lieutenant had
received the gold medal and was made
an officer, while Rear Admiral Selfridge
had the silver medal and was knight.
On their way back to their ships the
officers questioned Lieut.. - and
wanted to know how he got the gold
medal. They heard the story and con-
graduated him. Admiral Selfridge adj
mitted that it was the only time in his
long career that he had ever been out
ranked by one of his junior officers
y. Y. Times.