The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-11-24
BRITAIN OFFERS
u. S. MEN HONOR
Would Decorate Sailors for
Gallant Service in War
on U-BOats.
LAW DEMANDS REFUSAL
Admiralty Seeks to Reward
Four Officers and Two .
Bluejackets.
LAW DEMANDS REFUSAL
Special Des,stcA TO rus SEN,


WARRINGTON, Nov. 23.-Evldence OF
the assistance the American navy il
rendering in the campaign against the
UJboats was afforded to-day In the an.
nounsement that the British Admiralty,
through Sir Cecil Spring Rice. Britisl,
Ambassador. had expressed a desire to
the Navy Department to recommend
British decorations for four officers and
two men in the United States Navy. The
Government cannot allow the deco .
tions to be accepted. as the law forbids.
Lieutenant-Command nder Charles A.
Blakely and Lieutenant Comma nder
George F. Neal are recommended for
the Distinguished Service order, Lieut..
Frank Loftin and Ensign II. y. Fallon
are recommended for the Distinguished ID
Service cross and Quartermaster. First
Class. W. H. Justice and Chief Machin-
lists Mate r. G. McNaughton are recon-.
mended for the Distinguished Service
medal. Along with the announcement of
the British Navy's desire were details of
two engagements showing what Amer.
ican warships are doing.
Headed Toward U-Boat.
The announcement said:
I'm the case Of one destroyer the Ad-
miralty advises that the vessel was
conveying a merchantmen when the
periscope Of a submarine was sighted at
distance Of about 500 yards The
destroyer Immediately increased speed
and headed toward the submarine. which
submerged. but reappeared shortly AZ.
terward travelling In the opposite direc.
tion. The U-boat next passed close on
the starboard side OF the destroyer,
which released a depth charge. prob
ably causing serious damage. II not d.
struction. to the submarine"
Because Of the excellent organization
preparedness and discipline on board tie
destroyer. as we'll ~ the quick decis
OF the officer OF the watch, the British
Commander in Chic. proposed to recon-
mend Lieutenant Commander Blakel,
the commanding officer in this engage
ment. for appointment to the nj.
guished Service Order and Ensign Fall
lon for award OF the Distinguished Ser
vice Cross
Depth Charge Accurate.
''The other destroyer" saws the an.
nouncement. was one Of a number es-
corting troop ships and was cruising in
station formation when the wave OF a
periscope was sighted about 1900 Yards
on the port bow by the quarterniaster
OF the watch on duty. He reported to
the officer Of the watch. who immedia tely
sounded general quarters. The execu.
tive ofiicer Of the destroyer was the first
officer to reach the bridge. being closely
followed by the commanding officer. The
executive officer rang for full speed
ahead on reaching the bridge and al
tered the destroyer's course to head for
the periscope. The commanding officer
then took command OF the ship and ma
n9uvred her so az to gain a favorable
position 70. dropping depth charge, dl-
recting the executive officer to drop the
charge when he deemed II proper to do
SO. The charge was dropped. 1t is esti.
mated. when the destroyer was about
twenty-five yards directly ahead of the
periscope and in the director of the
submarines advance
after the explosion OF the charge.
debris was seen to rise to the surface
accompanied by large bubbles and dis
coioration OF the water"
I.ieutenan mt Commander Neal was re,.-
commended for tho Distinguished Ser
vico Order. because II was considered
that the efficient way the attack was
launched was due to his prompt and
decisive action and the vigilant look
out maintained on the destroyer"
Lieut.. Loftin was recommended fr
the Distinguished Service Cross for the
way he handled the situation In prompt
and decisive manner after arriving on
the bridge.