Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-07-10
WEARS FRENCH CROSS
FOR DARING BRAVERY
WiIIiamsport Lad Back From
War Zone On FurIouqh.

war zone in European waters. Har.
ny X HeaZer, son OF Mr.. end M-v
G. f. Hetzer, of Wilhansport. a
chief commisary steyard. has Re.
turned wearing decoration confer.
red Upon him by France for barY.
cry Mr. Hetzer is the first Washing.
ion county man in any branch OF the
government military service to
back with such an honor.
b He blew into s#he Daily Ma Of.
fee like breeze from the ocean,
vigorous, alert and rejecting the
physical power and fighting force OF
she men Uncle Sam has at sea. On
his breast was the cross OF honor
for bravery The cross with which
he was decorated for srisking his
own life to save the lie of French
officer at sea, was suspended from
"a small strip OF red and green rib
hon. Oh the ribbon was bronze
star signTying first honor
His ship was of The coast of
France where German sU-boat had
torpedoed French vessel. A life.
boat. containing two men one dead
French soldier was sighted, but ow.
ing to the rough weather it was IN.
possible Ito launch boat Het2er
volunteered to swim to the rescue
of the men, and with q line .tied
around his waist he leaped over
board and plowed with strong
strokes to the boat Tying the rope
about the French officer, who prov.
ed to be Captain De Courcy, and the
dead sailor and himself, Hetzer@ was
pulled through the water and on
the ship. His brave act was prompt.
qy reported to the French war de.
Ipartments and about a NORTH later
when Mr.. Hetzeris ship reached
French port he was decorated by
high French naval officers.
Mr. Hetzer was. on the transport
Acelda which was torpedoed by
German U-boat, and he showed ac-
tual photographs taken of the ship
afterward exhibiting a great gaping
hole in her side. The ship went
down in four minutes and the crew
and others had no time to-. think
but only act. Mr.. Hetzer went over
board in his B. v. D.'s. The sinking
occurred on November 5, and the
weather was rough and the water
cold. After swimming around for
some time some Of the crew. includ-.
ing Hetzer, got INTO a lifeboat and
rowed for about d4shours- through a
rough sea and finally reaching q
French port. Three OF the men in
the boat died from exposure.
The boat was overhaulesi- ~ the
U-boat which sunk the ,Acelda and
the German commander asked if
any on board could speak German
or he would finish the job. 81
NO" was the reply. "Any Off
cers?" NO" was the reply Then
said the German, speaking English
perfectly. :I've a mind to finish the
JOB all up" At that New York
east side in the life boat sang back
Go to blazes, you Dutch blink
blank and finish it. You've done all
you can nearly" What's that ask.
ed the officer, putting his hand to
his ear. What's our course TO land?
called back the New Yorker, and
how near7 The Hun briefly gave
the direction and to the Relief Of
the men disappeared. =
Being without a compass, they
steered by means of an gIngersoll
watch and reached port nearly es.
hausted. 4S
Mr. Hetzer has been Cd battle.
ships, torpedo destroyers ana other
craft during the thirteen months
he has been at sea. Nearly all of
tho time in the perilous submarine
zone. He has gone to his home in
Williamsport, whore he has, q pretty
wife and an interesting baby boy 10
spend we'll earned furlough until
mid-August.
mr., Hetzer had the memorable ex.
perience of attending ofhcially the
intement Of all the Americans who
have fallen in France 80 far. They
are temnorarily buried for3 future
remission to this country. There
are 2,4oo ambulances In the cortase
all from this'scouftfy w
= -f L : y ~ .uaN ~.