The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-31
MEDALS AWARDED
T0BRAYE FIREMEN
Squad Of Heroes Get Unexpcct-
ed Chance to Show Their
Mettle.
PUT OUT CHURCH FIRE
Mayor Makes Presentation AZ
ter Furry at st. Andrews
in City Hall Place.

New York's blue ribbon fremen put
out a midget blaze yesterday and then
marched over to City Hall and received
at the hands of Mayor Hylan the medals
annually awarded for bravest deeds or
most helpful conduct.
They were lined up in front OF the
Municipal Buildins-lOo honor men Of
this and other years-ready to proceed
across the park, when some dolt OF
citizen, ignoring the first rule Of fire
prevention. Don't throw away a lighted
cigar or cigarette" dropped from a win
dow a smoking butt, which landed on
an awning outside the parish house Of
st. Andrews Church. 20 City Hall place.
The awning started burning. While
Mgr Luke Evers. pastor of the church.
was running up stairs to see what was
smoking boy raced over to the Munic-
ipal Building. not far away. to shout the
news In the quarter where It would do
the most good. At a word from Chief
kenlon the waiting firemen broke ranks
and raced TO St Andrews. Two hustled
up the stairs, others broke all records
for scaling a fire escape ladder. The
fastenings and thrown to the street
where other medal winners stamped the
flames to death. Damage. $40; time,
thirty seconds more or less. Fall in"
said Chief Kenlon.
Two Medals for Man in Khaki.
Despite the diversion the nremen
reached City Hall on scheduled time
q md mot .i.G L..
At the head of the medalists of 1917
marched one In khaki He was Pat
rick r. O'Conno- OF Hook and Ladder
IA. winner OF both the James Gordon
Bennett and department medals. From
a lofty roof cornice on February 20
last year OC'nnor swung head down
ward. He closed his strong fingers
about the wrists OF Michael Mahoney,
a 200 pound man trapped by fire and
smoke. and held on while comrades on
the roof Juggling at OConnor's legs. re-
trieved him and his burden. O'Connor's
In the army now. Two others Of the
twenty-five men on the new honor list
are in France helping to put out the
Kaiser. Their medals will be held by
relatives.
The Fire Department Band led the
way to City Hall and played The Star
Spangled Banner" at the steps in front
OF the portico. Mayor Hylan, his Sec
rotary. Grover Whalen, and the Fire
Commissioner. Thomas J. brennan, came
down the steps and stood beside table
on which the medals lay. The Mayor
read this address:
1t gives me great pleasure to present
to you men the medals of honor which
have been awarded to you after a most
searching examination and study OF the
many acts Of heroism performed by
members Of the Fire Department during
the past year.
Proud Of Men in Blue.
There are peace heroes as well as
war heroes. and you men represent the
heroes OF civic population. You have
rislied your all in the performance OF
your duty. This valor on your part you
may be sure is appreciated by the citi-
zens Of this city
You heroes Of the blue uniform I
wish to congratulate on behalf of the
people OF this city, and to assure YOU
that your work is appreciated by your
fellow citizens. wish TO congratulate 1e
officers and men OF the Fire Department
for the splendid efficiency and heroic
service which they rendered this COM
munity during the last trying winter.
Commissioner brennan informs me
that three OF the honor men. Rudolph
Weisel. Fred J. G. Wedemeyer and
Patrick r o'Connor. are at present alb
sent from the department on war ser
vice Commissioner brennan, I wish to
say TO you that this is very proud
moment of my life to be privileged TO
present TO the heroes of your depart
ment medals that typify the most un-
selfish service that could possibly be
rendered"