Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-01-05
DANIEL s. STAND
Continued from Page One

ais" wrote the secreta-y ''honors iess
than the Distinguished Service Medal
should he awarded 10 officers whose
shore duty was meri1orious DIT not OF
g-ea. responsibility
II stated that the servlce worthy Of
The highest distinction Is thai rendered
atiuat in the presence OF the enemy AM
that the Distinguished Service Media
should De awarded To the captain of ev
cry ship struck ny the mines or tOrpe-
does of the enemy Il his conduct was
rneritorious in the hour thar tests cuur-
age and leadership. ! DC not mink the
American people can be persuaded 10
accnpt the idea that the Distin guisnea
Service Medal should not be given =
the captain OF d snip who bears him
self cnurageousiy in the supreme hour
for which all other hours in his naval
career were but preparatory. II his ship
is lost by ST. nrnarine or mine attack. L
this theory mad been accepted IN -n~-
mer years. lawrence and Porter aEid
other naval heroes would have been
denied some Of the ea-tv honors which
their count-vrnen gladly gave them.
Each OF them know what il was TO los
MS ship without loss Of prestige anO
with the satisfaction OF receiving eL-
pressions Of high appreciation Of their
counr-vmen. Il is. IF coE-se, the -lctG-
~ in battle which gives highest gior-
but medals of distinction are awarded
for exceptional neritorious service
and Lawrence was no less deserving
OF a nations gratitude when his snip
was lost II mis- countr.' than WAS PER-
and who, leaving his sinking snip. won
victorv after trans er-iYfg his flag from
the Lawrence 70 the Niagara. Intiee-.
Perry and AL his gallant and victorious
crew were inspired ID win victory py
the immortal words o. Lawrence, for
Perry had adopted Lawrence dying
words as tine snibhnieth or his tag:
Don't give up the ship
Ten commanding officers OF ships
torpedoed and sunk or put OFT OF
action were selected as worthy OF
receiving the Distinguished Service
Medal These awards, as 7 stated II
my previous letter, were made with
out exception to every commanding
officer whose ship felt the blow o.
the enemy except one who was
court-fnarriaIled and who, though
fully acquitted. has no recummenca-
ZION from any superior ort1cer rDr
recognition Of any character. ADM
RAJ Wilson stated officially that the
failure of Captain Hasbrouck 70 re-
turn TO his ship III daylight with a
salvage party was an onenSe more
serious than an error Of Judgment
and Admiral Gleaves stated official
IS that though tine court fully ac-
Quilted him. my own opinion is sucn
that ] cannot recommend MIN for
the award. either for media or
c,-oss However, secause of his pre-
vinus service in The transportation OF
troops and without reference ID his
action after nis ship was torpenoec
Captain Easarpuck was selected By
my direction i6- naval cross. the
same as was awarded to commanding
officers Of other transports. Captain
Easbruuck writes he does not desire
TO accept this medal.
Instructions have been given for
the fullest investigation with the
VIEW on 1uSLuSI aWdluS I'd OSilcf VA
ficers and men On these and any 9TH
er ships who rendered meriturious
service by reason Of attack Of enemy
ships. Some of these would have
been announced before now except
for the recunvening OF the Board OF
Awards to consider all meritoriuuE
service and make further recnmmen-
cations. Late and incomplete reports
have necessarily delayed full Justice
TO all vino deserved recognition. But,
though, postponed. II viii be gwen
and the highest honors should go to-
those who felt the shock OF the enc
my successfully or otherwise when
courage and good Judgment were
shown, rather than to those who ren-
dered service ashore in places OF
less responsibility.
81 am Impending a brief srarsmert
of the cases when the Distinguished
Service Medals were announced
where sfipE were torpedeed or came
IN contact with mines and Were
either sunk or put out Of action. a