Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-01-05
DANIELS DEFENDS
PLAN Of AWARDING
MEDAL To HEROES
Naval Secretary Explains Why
Ne Disregarded Some of the
Recommendations in Hand
ina Out Decorations.
rsv NorSrna JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED WEI


The complaint of the officers was
that in some instances Secretary Dam
iels had changed the recommended
tons of the local board which sat on
the cases, bestowing higher decora-
tons than the officers thought merit
ed in some cases. and lower ones in
others.
Secretary Daniels explains at
length the theory on which he DIS
agreed with some of the awards as
finally recommended to him and also
how he differentiated between awards
for officers who served at sea ana
those who served on land,
Mr. Daniels refers to his first COM
munication to Chairman Page in
which he sets forth the principle that
the highest distinction should be con-
ferred upon officers and men who
had come in contact with the enemy
and had by courage and Judgment
under attack eXemplified the highest
traditions of the service and that the
distinguished medal should also be
awarded only to those officers on
shore duty who in the language of
the act of congress had distinguished
themselves "by exceptionally mer-
itorious service to the government in
q duty of great responsibility.
ain thus following the act of con-
gress authorizing three classes of
medals" wrote the secretary. "honofs
less than the distinguished service
medal should be awarded to officers
whose shore duty was merltorlous Dut
rot of great responsibility
"I stated that the service worthy
of the highest distinction is that rem
dered afloat in the presence of the
enemy and that the distinguished
service medal should be awarded 10
the captain Of every ship struck by
the mines or torpedoes of the enemy
IL his conduct was meritorious IN the
hour that tests courage and leader
ship. | do not think the American
people can be persuaded to accept the
idea that the distinguished service
medal should not be given to the cap
tain of a ship who bears himself cour-
ageously in the supreme hour LOT
which all other hours in his naval
career were but preparatory. if his
ship is lost by submarine of mine at
tack. If this theory had been ac-
cepted in former years Lawrence ana
Porter and other naval heroes Wouiu
have been denied some of the early
honors which their countrymen giadiy
gave them. Each of them knew What
it was to lose his ship without loss OF
nrestige and with the satisfaction 81
receiving expressions of high appre-
citation of their countrymen, IL IS OF
course the victory in battle whlch
gives highest glory but medals OF als-
tinction are awarded for exception
ally meritorious service ana Law
renee was no less deserving OF ma
TONS gratitude when MS snip Wa
lost to his country than was Perry
who. leaving his sinking ship, Wor
victory after transferring his flas
from the Lawrence to the Niagara
indeed, Perry and all his gallant ant
victorious crew were inspired 10 VII
victory by the immortal words o,
Lawrence, for Perry had adopted
Lawrences dying words as the snip
boleth on his flag: Don't give up I'M
"Ten commanding officers of ship
torpedoed and sunk or put out
action were selected as worthy OF re
ceiying the distinguished sefVlc'
medal. These awards, as stated II
my previous letter. were mace wiz, WIN
out exception to every commahdii'
officer whose ship felt the blow
the enemy except one who was court
nartialed and who, though fully ac
Quilted, had no recommendation IRON
any superior officer for recognition
any character Admiral Wilson state
officiallv that the failure OF captain
nJasbrouck to return to his snip d
daylight with a salvage party was a.
offense more serious than an error o
Judgment and Admiral Gleaves stat
cd officially that though the coui
fully acquitted him. my own oplIio
is such that / cannot recommend M
for the award. either for medai Q
q cross However, because OF M
previous service in the transportatio
of troops and without reference TO III
action after his ship was torpedoe
Captain Hasbrouck was selecteo ~ y
INV direction for a naval cross. IN
same as was awarded to commandin
officers of other transports. Captai
uasbrouck writes he does not oesii
IN accent the medal. -.
Constructions have been given lo
the fullest investigation with the we
Of further awards to other officers an
men on these and any other SHIPS Wh
rendered meritorious service by feas
on of attack by enemy ships. Some
these would have been announced De
fore now except for the recongehin
of the board of awards to conslaer
meritorious service and make iurtne
recommendations. Late ana iHcoii
plete reports have necessarily delaye
full justice to all who deserve recosa
ton. But. though postponed, II VIII :
given and the highest honor shoui
20 to those who felt the shock or IN
enemy successful or otherwise VINE
courage and good Judgment WEI
shown rather than to those who ref
dered services ashore in places OF les
responsibility.
IL am appending a brief statemef
of the cases where the distinguish
service medals were announced Whel
ships were torpedoed or came in cor
tact with mines and were either sun
or put out of action. A mere readin
of the plain recital in each of tines
ten attacks and the demeanor of tn
commanding officer will leave T
room to doubt that if awards are
be given for GOODNESS and Judgment
danger, disregard of personal safei
and splendid courage to any men WI
gave glory to the navy in the worl
war, they should go to all ten of the'
commanding officers and distinct hol
ors should likewise go to other bray
officers and men under attack. -
We cannot give too much honor
the commanding officers of surfat
ships which were able to sink or d.
stroy submarine. The truth all
must be recognized, however, that II
courage, SKILL determination, r,
sourcefulness, foresight and judgmei
of officers whose ships were torp'
doed and suddenly sunk are put
quite as severe a test as in the cas-,
of commanding officers of surfat
ships which see and sink the enem