The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-24
Offer. Distinguished Service
Order to Two Who Helped
Destroy U-Boats
TRANSPORTS SAVED
BY PROMPT ACTION
Sc. Fights Brief But Full OF
Action Decorations Can
not Be Received Under Ex-
isting Law

Washington, New. 23.--lnstant &C
ttvits of tine officers and crews oil Two
tJ,ttsd states deetroyers in repellfng an
attack OF submarines on conveyed mer-
chant vessels and troop ships with the
,,roba Bile loss Of two OF the undersea
craft, have brought unussl recognize"
from the British admiralty.
Reoues+ hsE been made Of this gov
eminent for permission 10 oestow the
following marks Of distinguished
recognition:
Dist,n guished service order-Lieu-
sennnt & Commander Charles \. Blake-
j.. = n. Lieutenant Commander
George # Neal. II, +. y.
DISTINGUISHED service orcss--Ldeu-
Grant Prank Isefiu. l. s. n. Ensign
ienry \. Fellor L. s. n
Distinguished service nsdal-~Quaf-
tevriastcr tt'r.t ciAss), w II Justice
L. s. y; Chief Machinists Mate Fl. G..
McSaughton. U. 8. N
Through this unusual request Is un-
folded A. remarkable story OF the sort
sss sea fights that the American patrol
forces are facing every day. Accord
irr TO the British ad'airaIts afvfces
Lieutenant Commander Biakely and
tsnsigs. FalIon were aboard one de-
sFf Owe 'lA
Neal. Lieutenant Lefifn. Quartsrmastsr
Justice and Chief Machinsst's Mate Nc
saush,on. aboard the other. In the
-.4..t.-;.7 i-~s-4~-- engagements a+--t-rrA
rlsce. 1t is believed that many lives
we're saved ERE ~ the conveyed yes
seia was a merchantmen and the sec
ord DESTROYER Was guarding troor
ships The reports sisarls indicate
tnst the Gerrnsn subNsripes Hndouht-
ealy were destroyed.
Lieutenant C Commander Blxkely's
vessel was conveying a merchantman,
Suddenly the perIsoope at suhnna-
,lne was sighted at distance Of about
500 wards.
The commander 81 the destroy~r-or-
aered speed ahead. Spuming UP the
xaa. th~ 1.-THE little sesdos bore direct
Is down upon the G~rmsn boat, The
submarine slid under the surface OF
the water 10 escape being rrn down.
she raappsared a rew~ ra.nstss ,ssset-
ward travelling in the opposits diree-
zion.
The t. boat came towards the de-
stroyer She passed close on the star
hoard side Just as she was at the
right position the commander of the
s.estroyer ordered a depth charge re-
leased. There was en- explosion un-
der the surface probably causing Sc
rious damage. II not destruction to the
sahrnarne." the admiralty reports
Praisinr the excellent organization
preparedness and discipline on board
the destroyer as well as the quick de-
olsion OF the officer of the watch, the
British commander in chief proposes
TO recon- mend Lieutenant; Commander
Elakeiy and Ensign Falion for proper
recognition.
In the second engagement. Lieuten
ant Commander Meals destroyer was
one ct the convoy escorting transport
ships She was cruising In station in
formation when a periscope was sight
cd about 500 yards off the port bow
by the quarterns stsr OF the watch on
duty. He reported to the oficcr or
tire watch. General quarters was
sounded immediately. The executive
officer Of the destroyer was the irst
officer to reach the fridge. He was
closely followed by Lieutenant Com
,nander Neal.
The executive offcer rang for FUN
speed ahead as soon as he reached the
bridge. The destroyer swerved around
ard headed straight for the periscope
Lieutenant Commander Neal then took
command. He Unanswered her un-
til he gained a favorable position for
dropping = depth charge When the
destroyer was about twenty-five yards
directly ahead of the perisco2e. and In
the direction of the submarines ad-
vsree the depth charge was loosed
After the explosion debris was seen
TO rise to the surface. Large bubbles
followed and the water became disco.-
cred II IL confidently believed that
the submarine was sunk.
For their services In this engage.
Continued on Second Page)