South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-06-15
PRAISES SPIRIT
SHOWN BY MEN
DURING BATTLE
Secretary Daniels Writes Let
ter and viii Give Medals
and GratuitieS to Sailors for
Their Bravery.

WASHINGTON. June 15.-Secre-
tary Of the Navy Daniels has written
commendatory letters TO Rear Admiral
Frank r. Fletcher and certain other
0ficers and men OF the vessels which
captured Vera cruz and has given
medals and 500 gratuities wherever
provided by law for the gallant con-
duct Of officers and men in the taking
OF the city.
The official statement OF the acts Of
bravery FOR which recognition is ex-
tended relates thrilling incidents hith-
ertO unpublished in the engagement In
the streets Of Vera Cruz About 40.
enlisted men and about IS officers of
the navy and marine corps have been
commended. The presentation of the
letters and medals Will be an impress
siVe ceremony. All hands will be
called to muster. the officers and men
to whom the letters are addressed
called TO the frolt in turn. the letters
viii be read by the captain or execu-
tive officer and then handed 20 the
men commended. Seldom has a naval
officer received such a letter OF praise
AS the one written by Secretary Dan
lels TO Rear Admiral Fletcher.
Daniels Letter.
In part it follows:
THE department IN this letter 10
YOU recites it's action in the cases of
these officers and men who were under
your command and in the operations
Of which you were the directing head,
IL order that you may know the high
estimate II places upon their vaIOr and
courage and TO indicate to you in
some degree it's appreciation OF your
courageous performance of duties, en-
failing as they did as grave response
bIItieS as could well he placed upon a
naval officer; for in the departments
opinion your performance of duty at
the seizure Of Vera Cruz equally en-
titles you to all the well nerited praise
and commentator that has been be-
slowed upon the officers and men who
you were directing.
1T is a pleasure TO add that IL was
fully expected that no matter what
you were called upon 10 do, it would
be done with a spirit and degree of
excellence that 1t is not believed could
be surpassed and these expectations
were met, in every particular, under
the circumstances requiring profess
siOnal ability and skill and courage
OF the very highest order. Your part
in the operations at Vera Cruz is
known throughout the length and
breadth of the land and so nobly
speaks for Itself that the department.
finds 1t difficult to embody in a letter
anything that could add to the salts
formed under extraordinary conditions
duty which not only Upholds, but
adds to the best traditions of the ser
vice which you adorn.
"It is with pleasure that the depart
mont places copy Of this letter upon
your already distinguished record.
(Signed) "JOSEPHUS DANIEL. s"
Men VIII Get Medals.
The department has issued a gem
eral order awarding medals of honor
and a gratuity Of 500 to the follow
ing named enlisted men of the navy
for extraordinary herOism:
Henry n. Nickerson, boatswain's
mate, second class, u. s. s. Utah. He
was slightly wounded three times
during the afternoon OF April q and
after first aid bandages had been ap-
piled he took charge of a squad that
built an advanced barricade under
Ire He then occupied a dangerous
and San Miguel SITS. Here he was hit
again three times two shots shatter-
ing his left leg above and below the
knee. He was then carried to the
rear and since has had his leg amp
utated close to the hip. His grit aft
er having been wounded three times
and the courage he displayed when
his latter wounds made it necessary
to carry him TO the rear, was an in
SpiratiOn to all who saw him.
Abraham DISCOVERS, chief turret
captain. u. s. = Utah ON the after
noon OF April q he was placed in
charge of a small squad of men and
stationed al the corner Of ware
house eastward of the customs house
His position was subject TO "A severe
fight from the buildings along ave.
Landeroy Cos. and after several
hours OF well directed fire he silenced
H. On April % when a general ad-
vance began. he was sent ahead TO
locate and silence fire from snipers
Later when two sections of artillery
were sent to join Captain Anderson's
command. he performed similar ser
vices and was almost continually un-
der direct fire from the sn1pers His