The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-11-24
SEEKS
TO Reward OUR
ENLISTED men
Would Decorate officers and
Sailors for Work Against
U-Boats.

the British Ambassador to- the Uni
ted States and the Department of
State" said Secretary Daniels, s'the
British Admiralty has advised the
Navy Department Of it's desire to re-
commend British decorations for GER
tain officers and men Of two United
States destroyers on duty in Euro
pean waters for their services in en-
counters with enemy submarines
1.-THE Secretary of the Navy has re-
Piled through the Secretary of State
that under the flaws of this country
persons belonging to the military
forces of the United States are not
Permitted to receive crosses, medals,
decorations or other gifts which might
be rendered by foreign governments.
''The British commander in chief
proposed to make the following re-
concentrations:
distinguished Service Order:
,Lieut. Commander Charles A.
Blakely, U. S. N.
Lieut.. Commander George F. Neal.
U. s. N.
distinguished Service Cross:
Lieutenant Frank Loftin, U. S. N
Ensign Henry N. Fallon, U. S. N.
| Distinguished Service Medal:
"Quartermaster, first class, W. H.
Justice, U. S. N.
''Chief Machinist's Mate R. G. Nc
Naughton, U. S. N.
I'm the case Of one destroyer the
Admiralty advises that the vessel was
conveying merchantmen when the
periscope of a submarine was sighted
at a distance of about 500 yards The
destroyer Immediately increased speed
| and headed toward the submarine,
| which submerged, but reappeared
| shortly afterward, travelling in the
| opposite direction. The U-boat next
passed close on the starboard side of
the destroyer, which released a depth
| charge, probably causing serious
damage, if not destruction, to the sub
marine.
'Praising the excellent organization
| Preparedness and discipline on board
the destroyer, as well as the quick
decision Of the officer of the watch,
| the British Commander in Chief pro-
posed to recommend Lieut.. Comman-
| der Blakely, the commanding officer,
| for appointment to the DISTINGUISHED
Service Order, and Ensign Henry N.
Fa11on for award of the DISTINGUISH ed
Service Cross
| THE other destroyer was one Of a
number escorting troopshfps and was
cruising in station in formation when
the wave of periscope was sighted
about 1900 yards erff the port bow by
the uuartermaster Of the watch on
duty. He reported to the officer of
the watch. who Immediately sounded
general quarters. The executive off,
Ger OF the destroyer was the first off,
Ger to reach the bridge, being closely
followed by the commanding officer
| 1.-THE executive officer rang for full
speed ahead on reaching the bridge
and altered the destroyer.s course to
head for the periscope. The COM
handing officer then took command
of the ship and manoeuvred her so as
to gain a favorable position for drop
ping a depth charge, directing the
executive officer to drop the charge
when he deemed it proper to do so.
The charge was dropped. it is esti-
mated. when the destroyer was about
25 yarde directly ahead of the perl
scope and in the direction of the sub
marines advance. After the explo-
sion Of the charge debris was seen
4 to rise to the surface, accompanied
by large bubbles and discoloration Of
the water.
'sT'or their services in this engage
ment the British Commander in Chief
made the following recommendations:
| Lieut.. Commander Neal, 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
end the vigilant lookout maintained
| on the destroyer.
Lieutenant I4oftin. for the Distin-
guished Service Order. for the way
he handled the situation in a prompt
and decisive manner after arriving on
the bridge.
| "Ouartermaster First Class Justice
land Chief Machinist's Mate McNaugh-
ton for the Distinguished Service