Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1917-12-01
ENGLAND OFFERS
HONORS TO NAVY
Admiralty Would Decorate Off
GERS and Men
LAWS PREVENT ACCEPTANCE
Several Are Recommended For The
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Cross And
Other High Honors Because
OF Wit And Quick Action

W Wit And QUICK Action
Washington An offer bs the British
Admiralty 10 decorate certain officers
and men Of two American destroyers
for their services in combating Ger.
man submarines has been declined.
Secretary Daniels announced. because
the laws NJ this country proven, sol.
diers and sailors from receiving dec.
orations from foreign governments
Lieutenant Commanders Charles A
Blakely and George F Neal wer. 70 be
nominated for the Distinguished Serv-
fee Order Lieutenant Frank I.oftin
and Ensign Henry y Fallon for Dis.
slngilshed Service Cross and Quarter.
master " II Justice and Chlef Ma.
chanist Mate Il G McNaughton for
the DISTINGUISHED Service medal The
names Of the ships 70 which the ON
GERS and men are attached werc with.
held for military reason
The British Admiraltl's desire 10
decorate tho men was transmitted
through The British Ambassador 10 The
State Department and referred b, II to
the Nav! Department
I'm the case of one DESTROY a." said
a statement issued hy Secro'ary ian
iels. the Admiralt, advises hat The
vessel wa. conveying mt,caan'man
when tho periScopc OF a submarine Was
sighted ~ distance of about 500
yards The destroyer Immediately IN.
creased speed and headed toward the
submarine which submerged bur 70.
appeared shortly aftcrward travelling
in the opposite direction The I'-hoat
next passed close ON m. siarboard
side OF TIN destroyer, which released a
depth charge. probably causing ser
ious damage. II not destruction 70 the
submarine
"Praising the excellent organiza
ton. preparedness ana discipline on
board the destroyer. a. well as III,
Quick decision OF thu officers OF the
watch. the British communicating chief
proposed TO recommend Lieutenant
Commander Blakely The commanding
officer. for appointment 10 the Dis
tinguished Service Order. and Ensign
Henry y Falon for award OF the bis
tingushed Service cross
The other destroyer was one Of q
number escorting troop ships and was
cruising in station formation when the
wave OF periscope was sighted l.s0C
yards off the port bow by the quarter
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 tn. first officer TO reach the bridge
being closely followed by the com
manding officer The executive Off
Ger rang for full speed ahead on reach
ing the bridge and altered the de
rtroyer's course 20 head for the peri
scope
THE commanding Officer then took
command OF the ship and Unanswered
her so as 70 gain favorable position
for dropping a depth charge directing
the executive officer 20 drop the charge
when he deemed y proper 10 do so
The charge was dropped il is esi
mated. when the destroyer was about
% yards directly ahead of the peri
scope and in the direction OF ~" sub
marine advance
After M explosion of fh' charge
debris was seen 10 rise 20 the surface
accompanied by large bubbles and dts
celebration OF the water
For rhrir services in this engage
mcnt the British commanderin.chet
made me following recommendation
"Lioutonan' Commander Neal fol-
the DISTINGUISHED Service order he
cause II was considered that the otrc
lent way the attack was launched was
due to hi, prompt and decisive action
and the vieilant lookout maintained
on the destroyer
"Lieu'cnant Loftin for tho pi,tin
guishcd Service Cross for tho way he
handled tho situation in prompt and
decisive manner after arriving on the
bridge
"Quartermaster tfrst class Iustics
and CHIEF Machinist Mate McNaugh
ton for tho DISTINGUISHED Service
Nj Dial"