The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-01-05
YOUNG SAILOR HERE WITH HONORS FROM
 SERVICE IN MEXICO

Four years in the United States na- val service. with honorable discharge i as coxswain, two medals for efficiency, l elevation in rank for extreme bravery
 on the field of battle, and numerous l trophies Wrested directly from the
 grasp of the eneny-this is the record
 of William R. Shalvoy. a Bridgeport and Danbury boy, who has returned to this city to liVee after thrilling ex- periences at Vera Cruz.
 ShaIvoy, who is living at the home 1 Of an aunt, Mrs. Arthur 1T. Clark, 415 for several days renewing old ac- l quaintances and undoubtedly will soon locate in 8 position here.
 But B years of age, the young man has already ben half around the world and in the fighting before Vera Cruz being the sailor that was ordered to l hoist the Stars and Stripes over the prison fortress of San Juan d'U1na, at that port.
 Following the arrival of the U. S. s. l New Hampshire, as a sharpshooter in advance of the thousand sailors and
 marines sent on shore he was sur-
 rounded by Mexican artillery, infantry
 and naval fire, and in the movement of retreat several times braved death with comrades to rescue and carry to
 the rear wounded sailors, for which
 bravery he was raised Immediately
 from theS rank of able seaman to
 coxswain.
 He was present during the reign Of terror in Vera. Cruz when snipers were
 shooting with accuracy at every bluel
 jacket in sight and tells graphic tales
 of the narrow escapes of American
 sailors in that part.
 Coxswain Shalvoy Joined the navy
 four years ago in New York city, be- l ing sent for six months to the train l ing ships at Newport, R. L He was
 then put aboard the U. s. battleship
 Iowa as an ordinary seaman, later
 transferred with increased rank to the New Hampshire on which he made a 1 trip half way around the world, touch 1 ing Europe on three different occa- i sions.
 | On April 22, while his ship was coal l ing at Norfolk, Va, or1ers were re-
 ceived by his commander, Admiral 1 Badger, to proceed to Tanpico where trouble was anticipated. He had hardly cleared the capes when the crew were ordered to increase speed and with wireless infornation from
 Admiral Fletcher at Vera Cruz that
 hiss men had been fired on the big battleship was rushed at full speed to
 that port.
 l During the interim between leaving I the Iowa and Joining the New Hamp
 shire he had qualified in marksman- l ship as 8. sharphooter and it was as I such that he was ordered ashore with nearly LOGO others at 2 o'clock on the l morning Of arrival at Vera Cruz. As l the battalion advanced towards the Mexican barracks the Mexicane began firing, not only from houses but with 1 larger guns from the Mexican naval academy and barracks. Fire also l opened from the Norwegian ship
 ''Haacon'' on which many Mexicans
 were passengers.
 with fire from three sides. the American battalion was compelled to fall back in the open space they oc- l cupied towards the t'Haacon' and the l sea-wall that they might receive pro- l lection from the guns of the New l Hampshire. The Chester sileneed the
 fire from the sHaacon'' and she with drew into the Gulf. Under 3. murder o1s shore fire members of the United 1 States marines and Second naval reg 1 inaerat were being killed and wounded
 and as the sharpshooters were In ad- l vance of the columns it devoIved upon I them to give first aid under fire and then carry the wounded to the rear ShaIvoy was among those whose bray cry was noticeable to his commanders and upon return to the ship he was 1 given: immediate recognition.
 l Following the occupation and rais- ing of the American flag in two places in the city, snipers continued their I work, having been stimulated by mali
 cious stories circulated by the Mexi- 1 can officers It became necessary to T search the houses of the people foI those engaged in taking pot-shots I from roofs and windows and Shalvoy
 was detailed on many of these mosI hazardous expeditions. On one occa-
 sion his life was saved only by the quicHwittedness of a. comrade, who di-
 verted the falling blow of a n1usket
 The stock of the N1auser was shat l tered over the barrel of the Ameracan's
 gun and in the collection of many
 relics saved by ShaIvoy occupies g
 conspicuous place.
 I The young man returned to these shores and retired rom the navy July
 g. shortly after which he was com
 peIled to bury his mother. Mrs. Hug1 I C. Shalvnv of Danbl1rY.