Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-01-05

was sunk by a submarine But II is
clear that when a ship is sunk the
commanding officer should be reward
Cd II he meets this supreme crisis with
polse. utter fearlessness. with thought
of his men above himself, with the
utilization Of an those attributes that
show man a hero when the hour
strikes for MS supreme trial To deny
this principle is 10 deny one OF the
bases Of the neral law. The greatest
thing that man ever does ~ thls
world n 10 turn a stumbling block
into a stepping stone. II medals are
not given for this sort of thing what
on earth are they designed for2'
Incorporated in the letter we're the
records Of an Of the officers VINO lost
their vessels. including Commander
d. Vs. BaRley, nephew Of Mrs. Dan
le!s. and Commander Percy ". Foote.
the secretary'B aide. about whom
much of the controversy has center
ed.
In Commander Bagleys case Mr.,
Daniels quoted from a letter by Rear
Admiral Sims In connection with his
approval Of the findings Of the court
OF Inquiry convened to investigate tht
loss of BagieyB ship.
"BagleyA handling Of the situation
after his ship was torpedoed was ev-
erythlng that I expected In the way
Of efficiency. good judgment. cour-
age and chlvalrous action" Admiral
Sims wrote.
The findings OF the court Of in
quiry were that the commanding Of
flcer, officers and men II the Z. $ 8
Jacob Jones bore themselves In ac-
cordanee with the best traditions Of
the service and no blame for respon-
sibility for the loss Of the vessel at
taches 70 them
Secretary Daniels said that Admiral
Sims recommended Commander Bag
ley for navy cross. the Knight board
lon naval awards approved the award
and the secretary changed It In COM
mon with the awards OF all other
commanding officers Of torpedoed
ships except Captain Hasbrouck to a
distinguished service medal
Reviewing the case OF Commander
FoUte, whose ship the President Lin
coin. was struck by three torpedoes
simultaneously and sunk In thirty
minutes. the secretary quoted AdInir-
al Sims report aB follows;
The small loss Of life is due 10
thorough discipline Of the ships COM
pany and excellent ssamauship of
Commander Foote.
Admiral Gleayes report on the
case the letter said. contained the
statement that the small loss Of life
Was due to the splendid discipline OF
the ships company and their fine sea
manahip under the gallant leadership
OF Commander Foote
Captain Madison. convoy eomman.
der wrote that 1T was an inspiring
sight TO see the ship, her stern awash
and on tho point OF sinking, with her
officers aboard and guns stll fir.
Z ing
I Admiral Gleayes recommended
/ Commander Fonte for distinguish,
Cd service medal. the letter said. and
the recommendation was approved by
Admiral Mayo, commander In chic
lot the United States fleet and by tn,
Knight board
In concluding his letter TO Senator
| iage. Secretary Daniels said
When We shalt have forgotten tn,
distinguished and honorable servie'
OF able and devoted officers ashore
who win worthily wear the distln
Euished service medal, the spiendi
courage Of the men who met III
shock Of the submarine stillattoes un
afraid and demonstrated initiativ,
vnlpr and Wisdom under such clrcum
stances as iandsmea never knew
, these brave men and their deeds wi
, remaiu an a living glory and an hor
orahie Incentive Ia future naval ht
, rooa