The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-01-05
NAVAL AWARDS
ISSUE ON DECK
Question Of Joint Probe to Be
Decided by House and Sem
ate ConfereeS.

Washington, Jan. 5.-(A. P)-With
the reconvenlng of congress today
the chairmen of the senute and house
naval committees were TO confer on
the question OF u Joint Investigation
of the whole subject of naval docora-
tions around which has centercd n
sharp controversy in the navy depart
ment,
when the first awards were an
nounced some weeks ago, Chairman
Pnge, OF the senate committee, asked
Secretary Daniels for reporti which
has been forwarded. The secretary
supplemented this with n letter, pub
lished today, In which the theory OF
the awards was explained.
Mr.. Daniels dwelt Mt length on tn,
reasons FOR awarding distinguished
service medals 10 the commanders o
ftcstNof -tifo eievn Americhm warahfp.
and transport sunk by Submarines
and mines during the war; Ho de.
clWcd that when we shall have for
gotten tho distinguished and honor
able service of able and devoted ofii
cors ashore. the splendid courage ol
the men who met the shock OF the
submarine stllettos unafraid will re-
main ns living glory and an honor
able incentive TO future naval heroes
As by Act Of Congress.
Mr. Daniels refers to his first COM
munichtion TO Chairman Page, In which
he set forth the principle that the high
ost distinction should be conferred upon
officers and men who had come IN con-
tact with the enemy and had by cour-
nge and judgment under attack oxem-
plincd tho highest traditions of the
service and that the distinguished SER
Vice medal should also be awarded only
10 those officers ON shore duty who, In
the language of the act of congress, had
distinguished themselves "hy exception
ally merltorious service to the govern
mont IN n duty OF great responsibility"
In thus following the act of congress
in allowing three classes OF medals" /"
wrote tho secretary, "honors less than
the distinguished medal should be
awarded officers whose shore duty was
noritorious but not of great RESPONSE
billy
Don't Give Up the Ship"
~ stated that the service worthy Of
the highest recognition is that rendered
nfioat In tho presence OF tho enemy and
that the distinguished service medal
should be awarded 10 the captain OF
every ship struck by the mines or tor.
pedoos Of tho enemy II his conduct was
morltorlous In the hour that tests cour-
nRo and leadership. | do not think the
American people can he persuaded 10
accept the idea that tho distinguished
service modgl should not be given to
the captain of ship who bears himself
cnurnRuouBlY In the supreme hour for
which all other honors Ia his naval ca
rcer were preparatory N his ship ls lost
by submarine attack. II this theory
had been accepted IN former years
Lawrence and Porter and other naval
heroes would have hecn denied some nf
the early honors which their country
men gladly gave them. Each Of them
knew what Il was TO lose his ship with
out loss Of prestige and with the salts
faction u receiving expressions Of high
appreciation of their countrymen. ~
is. OF course. the victory In hattie which
gives highest glory but medals OF dis
tinction nre awarded for exceptionally
meritorious service and Lawrence was
no less deserving OF nations gratitude
when his ship was lost 60 his country
than WAS Perry. who. leaving his sink
ing ship. won victory over transferring
his flag from the Lawrence TO the Nj
agara. Indced Perry and all his gallant
and victorious crew were inspired TO
Lawrence. for Perry had adopted Law
rcnce's dying words as the shihholcth
on his nag: Don't give up the ship
''rcn commanding officers OF ships
torpodocd aud sunk or put out Of action
were selected as worthy Of receiving the
distinguished service medal These
awards. as | stated IN my previous let
ter were made without exception 10
every commanding officer whose ship
felt the blow Of the enemy. except one
who was court martiaied. and who.
though fully acquitted. had no recon-
mondHtlon from any superior officer for
recognition OF any character.