Arizona republican., 1918-05-27
BRAVERY 1T MEN
 TOLD IN REPORT
 OF NAVAL CHIEF
Republican A. p. Leased Wire1

WASHINGTON, May 26.-Stories of the heroic daring of American naval officers and men in rescuing 34 of the 75 members of the crew ot the American munitions ship Flor ence H., which caught fire and broke in two in French waters last Aprll IT, are told in the report of Rear Ad- miral Wilson, commanding American naval forces in France. made pubic tonight by the navy department.
 Lieutenant H. D. Haislip of San Mateo, Cal, who, at the risk of de- tonating his depth charges and de- stroying his vessel, promptly charged his destroyer through the mass or blazing and exploding wreckage GOV ering the water in which survivor $ were struggling, is recommended for commendatiOn.
 Gunners Mate E. M Upton, of Denver, Colo, and ships cook, J. w. Covington, of DUrant, Okla. are rec commended for congressional medals of honor and gold life saving medals. They leaped into the sea and rescued a man who. exhausted, was in the midst of exploding powder boxes.
 Six officers who commanded life and motor boats which entered the
 
 being badly burned about the head and arms. two surgeons and a chap lain and forty-eight seamen who were with them, are mentioned for com mendation.
 Admiral Tells Story
 Admiral Wilson, in describing the situation, said:
 ''The sea to the leeward of the wreck was covered by a mass of boxes of smokeless powder which were repeatedly exploding and amongst this wreckage were a num- ber of survivors. The wreckage was so thick that small boats were un- able to reach these men. The heat from the burning vessel in the vicin ity was so intense that the converted yachts present, with wooden upper works, could not safely penetrate the Wreckage.
 Under these conditions, Lieutenant Haislip took his vessel at high speed into the midst of the wreckage, al considerable risk of detonating the depth charges carried on his vessel and made a lane through which the small boats lowed by his and other vessels could reach the survivors.
 Commended for Bravery
 The dash. initiative and courage shown by Lieutenant Haislip on thi: occasion are in accord with the bes traditions of our service and it i! recommended that he be commended by the navy department" The French vice admiral command ing the district, in commenting Lieu tenant Haslip, said he gave proc of a superb contempt of danger an' remarkable qualities of seamanship. Admiral Wilson issued q specia order lauding the rescuers, officer and men and saying that due to thei prompt and gallant action it appearet | that all who were not killed in tn | flames of the Florence H. were res cued.
 Besides Lieutenant Haislip, the of l ficers and men mentioned for coin mendation by Admiral Wilson in clude: Ensign R. A. Johnston, |. : N. R. F.. Natonia, Kas.; Passed As ! sistant Surgeon Jesse A. Flautt, \ | x. V; Midland, Texas.
 Enlisted men: Frank II. Mathis 1 Waxahachie, Texas; Robert A. Az mar. Eastburn, Cal; Fred Harring ton. Los Angeles, Cal; Walter 4 ] Ellison. Los Angeles, Cal; Charle F. Jones. Delaware, Okla; Erwin ( Gates. San Pedro, Cal; Harol Franck, Clovis. Cal; Earl Hoovel Miami. Ariz.;s George Cleveland Man i lev, Guthrie Center Iowa; Hade Harris Jones, Fernwood, Miss; Jame Polk Carter, Muskogee, Okla; Law renee Shatto, San Francisco; Fran T. Burns, Humble, Texas; Harry l Lebas. Hemet, Cal; Anthony Shaoou 2229 Blake Street. Denver, Colo