Evening journal., 1921-04-23
BOY gets BADGE
FOR BRAVE ACT
Harry A. Skilton Decorated
For Saving Companion
From Drowning
AWARDED BY BOY
SCOUTS COUNCIL

In the presence Of his comrades OF
Troop No. 70. and his father and
many friends, Henry Alstone Skill
ton. a 15-year-old Boy Scout. was
presented with the Scout medal
badge for bravery by Chancellor
Charles NJ Curtis. last night. in
Trinity parish house. Delaware
avenue and Adams street. lie is a
son of Dr. John d. sknton. head
master OF Tower Hill school
Young Skilton was decorated for
the rescue Of his friend. Filsen Car
michael. who fell out of canoe in
the Christiana near Stanton. Re
moving his shoes and heavy sweater.
Skilton jumped in after the drown
ing boy, Keeping him afoat until
passing boatmen hauled them both TO
safety. lie also aided in reviving
the boy after he was pulled into the
launch.
Never In my life" asserted Chan
cellor Curtis. in bestowing the badge
upon the boy. have / had greater
privilege than now have. I am
proud Of you and feel sense OF ex-
ultation. My own boys arc too old
20 he members Of the Boy Scouts,
and I. myself. never had the oppor-
tunity to be one, such as you boys
are"
1T is not often a boy has the op-
portunity," he continued. Ito show
the stuff that is in him; to show Of
just what stuff he is made" lie
praised the ability Of young Skilton
90 take advantage Of tho opportunity
offered him. and to carry it out 50
gloriously.
He read letter signed by mem
bers of the Court Of Honor which
bestowed the merit badge The let
ter follows:
Henry Alstone Skilton. a member
OF Troop No. 10. Boy Scouts of
America. life and star scout. fifteen
years old. rescued from drowning ir
the Christiana River above New.
port Filsen Carmichael on Saturday
April Q. 1921. and subsequently as.
sisted in resuscitating him from
state Of unconsciousness; and having
thus applied promptly. courageousll
and efficiently the training received
by him as a Boy Scout. and demon
strated his ability To- comply with
an requirements TO obtain a Mcri
Badge for Life Saving the Court o
Honor of the Wilmington Council. al
special meeting thereof held thh
day hereby awards 20 him. Henr,
Alstone Skilton. a Merit Badge fol
Life Saving in commentator Of hi
brave deed. which was noble an,
inspiring fulflment Of the watch
words Of a Boy Scout. BE Pre-
pared. and DO Good Turi
Daily
Signed: William F. Smalley
Charles NJ. Curtis. Edgar n. HOPES
Jr.. Arthur L. Bailey. members %
Court of Honor.
Following the reading Of the let
ter. he stepped out in front OF IN
boy, saluted. and presented m
badge IN true French style. kissin
him upon both checks. Prior Q
the presentation. ne inspected IN
entire troop. and praised ats APP
pearance.
Ernest Carmichael. father Of tn
rescued lad. then praised the actio
of young Skilton. In praising tn
boy, Mr. Carmichael referred par
ucuiarly TO the presence of min
which he exhibited in the emergency
= The great thing" he said, "is no
only to be brave. but to have pres
snce of mind, for without presence O.
mind, your bravery gains you moth
ing" The young hero and fatho
OF the boy he saved then claspe
. hands.
After the presentation Of IN
badge. and the few words by MI
Carmichael. the troop cheered Ia
boy with the Scout cry. "Americ.
Scouts. Scouts, L. S. A., skiltor
-skilton! skilton!
Usually this badge is obtained onl
after passing through a series ,
difficult and thorough tests but
this case il was given entirely on IN
5ncrits Of the rescue. This. so IA
as is known. is the first time th
badge has been awarded for rescu
IN this state.
Following the regular businei
session. young Skilton was congratl
lated by his fellow scouts, wit
whom ne IS very popular. TT
presentation of the badge TO him la
nlght was surprise TO him, a
court OF honor and his comradi
having kept quiet about it,.
Among those present last night
the presentation were Christopher
Ward. council member: Frank
Grconhawk. Scout Executive of WI
mngton; Dr. John ID. Skilton. fath'
of the boy and headmaster of n
Tower Hin School; Ernest ca
michael father Of the rescued la,
. and Charles L. Cheatham. an fl
structor at the Tower Hill Schot
DOMESTIC help. cooks. waltress