The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-03-01
By FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

The United States. while giorying in its
heroes. has been more chary Of con
ferTing medals than any other country,
because this sort OF thing speaks too
musl Of the monarchical to suit the
American spirit During the first IL
years OF the republic only eighty-three
medals were awarded by the government
The Continental Congress early discussed
how the new republic should honor Its
heroes. Il had TO titles nor peeTages.
Ike other countries. but it did have "the
highest reward a free man can receive.
the recorded appreciation OF his country"
After much debate the assemblage de-
cided upon the comforting Of medals. and
the first one was awarded 70 Gen. Wash
ington- Il was Of gold and commem-
GRATED the splendid conduct Of himself
and soldiers in the siege and acquisition
OF Boston
At preset there are but three medals
which are authorized by the government.
These are given TO heroic soldiers and
sailors and TO those who have imperiled
their lives in an attempt 10 save others
from drowning. BY an act Of Congress
the Secretary OF War is empowered to
present these medals to men who. by
heroic conduct. have proved themselves
worthy. Some OF the recipients have
formed themselves into Medal Of Honor
Legion. and hold annual conventions. The
medal now used Is said by a Partisan
medal artist 10 be the handsOmest given
by any country.
About S0o) OF these badges OF distinc-
ton have been conferred upon soldiers
nearly so 10 veterans OF the civil war
and some twenty-five or more TO the
heroes Of the Philippines The Spanish
war gave OpportUnitC7 for the display
Of bravery IN the navy as well as in
the army. sixty-One medals having been
awarded 10 the marines and bluejackets-
Among the many organizations which
confer medals Of honor is the Grand
Army. the badge or which is made from
captured cannon. as Is also the Cross
OF Honor. which is given by the United
Daughters Of the Confederacy TO the
veterans Who were honorably discharged
from the service Of the Confederate army
Uncle sam awards his other decoration
IF honor through the Life Saving Service
The first medal Of this kind was a gold
one, given 10 LUcien NJ Clemmons. Of
Ohio. for rescuing Two Of the crew OF a
schooner of KelIeys Island. in Lake Erie
Since that time about go medals have
been given. nine OF which. three gold and
SIX silver, went 10 women. Lucien Young
Of Kentucky, was awarded a gold one in
y for rescuing, and attempting 10 rescue,
his shipmates from the z : 5. Huron, on
the coast Of North Carolina. Three citi-
zens Of Washington have won these
honors. Calvin Gum. Morgan Steele. and
Louis B. Diggins. all three receiving silver
medals. The youngest winner Of a United
States hfe-saving medal IS Marie Parsons,
Of Long Island. who, at the age Of ten,
rescued young man from drowning
Long years before the government be-
gan its work Of saving life on sea the
State Of Mssssr hUsetts had an organized
lfe-saving service. or humane society As
far back as Ie0 years ago it was doing
what il could 70 rescue the shipwrecked
OF those in danger Of drowning. The first
medal which Massachusetts gave outside
Of her own borders went 10 Miss Ida
Lewis. the daughter Of a lighthouse
keeper in Newport Harb0r. This wonder
tul woman began her career OF live saw
ing when very young girl, and has num-
bers Of lives 20 her credit She received
many valuable presents from private in
dividuals and organizations, and finally.
in 1881. vas awarded a gold medal By the
United States Life-Saving Service. The
first woman 10 receive one Of these testi-
monies OF the nations approval was
Edith Morgan, Of Hamlin. Mich. in the
year 1Ss0- Since then many Of her sisters
have followed her example OF courage
and have been similarly rewarded.
The most important medal bestowed
by q private individual IS that offered
By Andrew Carnegie TO heroic life savers
under any or ali conditions-to everyday
heroes, as he expresses it To this end
he established in 1901 a fund OF $500 Geo.
and appointed q commission OF twenty
one men. who were 10 take charge OF Il.
This medal applies 70 Canada. the United
states. and the waters thereof. and 70 all
sorts and conditions Of men. women. OF
children II is Of gold, silver. or bronze.
and recites the deed for which presented.
Besides the medals, there IS q sum or
money 70 be given. II the commission
deems it advisable. for the benefit Of The
dependents OF those who lose their lives
IN a heroic EFFORT 10 save their fellow
man or for the heroes themselves II only
Injured. Money may be paid 10 a widow
until she marries again, and TO children
until they reach a self-supporting age.
but can be withdrawn in anv instance
unless properly used.
Since the founding OF this fund thir-
teen gold. ffty-one silver. and sixtv-two
bronze medals have been awarded. one
q these was won by a Washington girl
Miss Jessie n Nelson. who. in 1905. saved
a two-year-old child from being run over
ny car. The youngest Carnegie hero
Is FentOn Gregory, Of Laceyville. Pa. a
boy o. eleven, who saved a man from
drowning A little girl Of thirteen is
next, and there are quite number from
fourteen 20 seventeen
Another act OF remarkable bravery
which won q gold medal for its perform /
IT, was that Of Andrew Hedges. county |
superintendent Of schools IN PierceviEle, |
hans- One day he came to a place
where some laborers were digging a well. /
Just before his arrival the well caved |
in. i'.-,-ing. 10 his arm pits. one OF the /
Workmen- IN t%-G Mr. Hedges expostu- |
lated with the other workmen and on
lockers TO ny to rescue the man, but as 1
another cave-in was imminent they re-
fused. Finally, finding that nothing was /
oelng cone 70 save the man be irrn,ned ]