Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-26
CROSSED THE OCEAN
WITH THE PRESIDENT
Unusual Distinction for Three Whining
ton Boys in the Navy

When President Wilson and the preri-
dental party went to France on the
L. S. S. George Washington he was ac-
comanied by three Wilmington boys,
all sailors and members of the George
Washington crew. Two of the three
were brothers, Leslie l.. and William
H. Maxwell, both of I4l0 Clinton street,
and the third was Midshipman kinley,
also of this city. Both the brothers are
chief yeomen. and both enlisted on the
same day, May s, 1917 In all, the trio
have uaGe ten trips across, transporting
troops to France and bringing veter-
ans back, most of them wounded.
OF the many stories that have been
told of the trip, that told by William
III. Maxwell makes sequel of added
interest TO the many different stories
Of the cruise that have been told. he
spoke especially of the tribute paid the
ship bearing the presidential party on
every hand, also speaking OF several
little incidents In the trip over in con-
nection with the President.
''On the first Sunday out" he said,
President Wilson attended church serv-
ices with the crew The following dav,
by the crew IN the Presidents honor
after which he shook hands with all
the members.
There were movies and shows for
the crew every day during the cru Sc
the presidential party attending several
of them, he said
Although the President remained in
his office on the ship attending 10 his
presidential duties during most of the
trip, he was often seen on the deck ac-
companied by other members Of tho
party, Maxwell related, and was always
at the rail when the ship saluted craft
of other nations.
OF the many honors bestowed upon
the George Washington because OF its
distinguished passengers, Maxwell mem
tions those given them at the Azores
as especially noteworthy.
He told Of a salute OF honor being
fired from the Azores after the ship
had stood off those islands, and later,
when the George Washington was With
in half an hour sailing OF Brest nine
British battleships and three battle
ships and nine CRUISERS OF the French
navy joined the convoy with salutes.
making a most impressive sight
Among the American officers who
came aboard 10 greet the President on
his arrival in France were General Per-
shing and Admirals Sims, Wilson and
Mayo. General Pershing was aocompa-
MED by the President daughter, Miss
Margaret Wilson, he SAID.
At this point ieoman Maxwell said
the crew was ordered 10 prepare the
George Washington for her trip back
to the States with American soldiers
On the return voyage 1000 troops of
the Cyclone Division, which is made
up of men from illinois, West Virginia
and Kentucky, were brought back
Almost 10 per cent of this number were
wounded, Maxwell said, some with
limbs gone, but the majority suffering
with flesh wounds.
"And OF all the happy lunches we
ever brought back to the States" hughed
Maxwell, this crowd was the happiest .
He said the whole trip was a big holiday
for the veterans OF the trenches, the fact
that they were to be home for Christ
mas making the returning lads more than
Iubilant.
A reception that almost equalled
that in honor Of their departure await
ed the return OF the George Washington.
which was met in New York by details
of the police and firemen as we'll as a
convoy Of fire boats. At Hoboken they
We're given royal entertainment where
a dinner and smoker had been provided.