Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-24
BRITISH ADMIRALTY
SEEKS TO HONOR
MEN OF j. S. NAVY
Offers Decorations for Serv-
ices in Combating Ger
man Submarines.
DECLINED BY ORDER
OF SECRETARY DANIELS
Laws of This Country Prevent
Such Aeeeptances From For
cign Governments.
ATTACHED TO TWO DEsTRoYERS
Desire Transmitted Through English
Ambassador in Washington to
State Department..
DECLINED By ORDER
OF SECRETARY DANIELS
ATTACHED TO TWO DEsTRoYERs
fBy Aguociated prcsg. !,

tBy Associated Prcsg.l
~ AS H &c T O y. November 23.-
An offer by tho British Admiralty to
decorate certain officers and men OF
two American dcstroyers for their SER
vices in combating German submarines
has been declined. Secretary Daniels
announced to-day. because the laws OF
this country prevent soldiers and
sailors from receiving decorations from
foreign governments.
Lieutenant Commanders Charles A.
Blakely and George T.. Ncale were TO
be nominated for the distinguished ser
vice order; Lieutenant Frank Lottin
aud Ennign Henry r. Fallon for the
distinguished service cross. and Quar-
tcrrnaster w. II. Justice and Chief Ma
chinist Mate r. C. McNaughton for
the distinguished service medal. The
names OF the ships to which the o.
nccrs and men arc attached were with
held for military reasons.
The British Admiraltys desire TO
decorate tho men was transmitted
through the British ambassador TO tho
State Department.. and referred by il
TO tho Navy Department.
RELEASED DErTH CHARGE
IN EFFOUT TO GET U-BoAr
I'm the case OF one destroyer" said
statement issued By Secretary
Daniels. the Admirali? advises that
the vessel was conveying II merchant
man when the pcriscopc OF submarine
was sighted at q distance OF about
500 yards. The destroyer immediate
~ increased speed and headed towards
the submarine. which submerged. but
reappearcd shortly afterwards. travci-
ing in the opposite direction. The
U-boat next passed close on the star
board side OF the destroyer. which re-
leased depth charge. probabl. caus-
ing serious damage. If not destruc-
ton. to the submarine.
'PraieinE the excellent organization.
preparedness and discipline on board
the destroyer. as well as tho quick
decision Of the officers OF the watch.
tho British commanderin- chief pro-
Dosed to recommend Lieutenant Blake
ly, the commanding officer. for appoint
mcnt to the distinguished service order
and Ensign Henry n. I'ailon for award
OF the distinguished order OF the day.
Tho other destroyer was one of a
number escortinS troop ships. and was
cruising in station formation, when the
wave OF pc"iscopc was sighted 1900
r
master OF the watch on duty. he re-
ported to the officers Of the watch
who Immediately sounded general
quarters. The executive officer OF the
destroyer was the first officer to reach
the bridge. being clusely followed by
the commanding ofice-. The executive
officer rang for full speed ahead on
reaching the bridge, and altered the
lNQ J,1
pcrl9copc.
MASEUvERED TO GAIN
FAVORABLE; POSITION
Tho commanding officer then took
command OF tho ship, and mancuvcrcd
her so as to gain Il favorable position
for dropping a depth charge. directing
the executive officer to drop the charge
when he deemed it proper to do so.
The charge was dropped, 1t is csti-
mated, when the destroyer was about
twenty-five yards directly, ahead OF the
periscope and in the direction OF the
submarines advance.
"After the explosion OF the charge
debris was seen to rise to the surface,
accompanied by large bubbles and dis
coloration of the water.
"For their services in this engage
ment the British commander-in-c chief
made the following rccommcndatio
Lieutenant Commander Ncalc for the
distinguished service order. because It
was considered that the efficient way
the attack was launched was due to his
prompt and decisive action and the
vigilant lookout maintained on the de-
stroycr.
Lieutenant Loftin for the distin-
Euished service cros= for the way he
handled the situation in a prompt and
decisive manner after arriving on the
bridge.
"Quartermaster. First Class. JUS
tce and Chief Machinist Mate Nc
Naughton. for the distinguished SER
vice medals"