The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-12-27
TWO HIGH NAVAL men I
join SIMS; REFUSE .
TO ACCEPT HONORS

NEWPORT. R. l.. Dec. 26.-Word that
Vice Admiral Hilery p. Jones and Cap.
tain Raymond D. Hasbrouck had FOL.
lowed the example ofiAdmiraI Sims In
declining to accept decorat ons awarded
them in the recently published navy list
was received in naval circles here to-
night.
Captain Raymond De l. Hasbrouck,
commander of the battleship Minnesota
tonight confirmed the report that ne
ha ddeclined to accept the navy crosa
awarded him by the navy department.
He said he thoroughly concurred in the
views of Rear Admiral Sims. contained
in his recent letter to Secretary Of the
Navy Daniels that no special award
should be given to officers whose ships
were successfully attacked by German
submarines. though no special blame
should be attached TO commanding off
GERS for their failure.
"Concurring in the views OF Admiral
Sims" said Captain Hasbrouck at HIS
home in Byn Mawr tonight Il could
not consistently receive the ward, Tor
the reason that had lost my ship .
Captain Hasbrouckk was in command
Of the transport Covington when she
vas sunk July !. 1915. returning to thS
United States after having landed troops
in Europe. Six men lost their lives
Revision Ordered.
WASHINGTON. Dec 26.-SecretAfy
Daniels tonight ordered the navy de-
partments' board Of awards rcconvened
Monday. January 5 to revise the navy
departments board OF awards recon-
vcned Monday. January to revise the
recent rccommcndations as 20 naval
awards which have been the source Of q
controversy brought to head several
days ago by declination OF Admiral
Sims to accept the DISTINGUISHED service
medal. while the wards remained as AZ
present. "a
While approving in the main the rec
concentrations Of the board Of awards.
said Mr.. Daniels. i'll his order TO Rear
Admiral A. NJ. Kni ght. TO rcconvene the
board. my examination into the sub
jcct has convinced me that there are
number of cases requiring further ex-
animation. and there have been addi-
tional recommendations since your
board adjourned which require cxamir
nation by, board OF Officers.
The order to reconvene the board WAS
made public late tonight following rs-
ccipt OF reports from Newport. r. L.
that yicc-admiral Hiley P. Jones and
Captain Raymond D. Hasbrouck had fol-
lowed Admiral Sims in refusing TO ac-
sept the medals bestowed on hem. dig
agreeing with the policy determining
the officers to be rewarded for services
during the war. Secretary Daniels. It
was said to the navy department. how
ever, had received no information - t.
the decliDation Of Captain Hashbrouc.s
or the reported declination Of AdmirSt
Jones.
The sccretary's order TO reconvene tia
board was addressed to Rear Admiral ~
N. knight. chairman. as follows:
while approving in the main th9
recommendation Of the board OF awards,
my examination into the subject has
convinced me that there are q number
OF cases requiring further examinations
and there have been additional recon-.
mrndationS since your board adjourned
which require examination by Z boar1
Of officers.
81 felt in going over the list that the
board had been too liberal, particularly
as regarded officers whose duty during
the war was mainly or altogether on
shore. l felt that reports, some OF
which had not come to your board. par.
ticularly as to men who had served and
suffered in the war zone. JUSTIFIED ad-
ditional awards.
been made. All lists published were ten.
tativc Last week I ordered changes
made in the list az printed awarding ths
DISTINGUISHED service fedal among others
to Admiral knight. Admiral Caperton
and Vice Admiral Jones. l had also
decided that like awards should be given
10 certain other officers who had rem.
dercd long and arduous service on COM
voys and other service afloat in the war
zone.
Il feel that nothing should be left
undone as far as il humanity possibi1
to insure that the awards be made with.
out the possible suggestion OF injustice
or discrimination against any person In
the naval service. and I have therefore
decided TO reconvenc the board OF
u-hn WT1kV
in the Light OF the additional in1oema>
tiun recently sent 10 the bureau Of M.
vigation and such other information
as any person in the naval service may
wish to Law before thr board.
The board will therefore meet in
Washington on Monday. January S,
1920" .-s -