Evening star., 1937-12-24

F. Anders, my executive officer, was
by this time badly weakened from loss
of blood and 1t. q. g. Geist was
also badly wounded in the leg. Ensign
Biwerse had escaped actual injury,
but was suffering somewhat from
shock. felt that under the circum-
stances OF our urgent condition and
position that I should utilize the ex-
perience and mature judgment Of Capt.
Frank N. Roberts, U. S. A., the as
siStant military attache to the Ameri-
can Embassy in China, who had come
on board at Marking. He had escaped
injury and was most anxious as an
officer to assist me in any way. His
ability to speak Chinese was also a
valuable factor. therefore appointed
him as my immediate representative
to take active physical charge under
my direction and such orders as he
gave were after consultation with me
and by my authority and direction.
I also acknowledge gratefully the kind
and efficient assistance of Mr.. Atche-
son in the same way. 1t is my grateful
duty to add that Capt. Roberts serv-
ices were absolutely invaluable and it
is impossible for me TO express my full
appreciation of them. I am sure that
every member of the party would
agree that his efficiency, kindness and
tact, and his experience in handling
an operation of this nature on shore
greatly contributed to our final escape.
Mr.. Atcheson, who also speaks Chinese,
agreed at my request to remain with
the party to facilitate dealings with
Chinese officials.
Paxton Takes Message.
"At about Sis pm. Second Secre-
tary of the Embassy Mr.. j. Hall
Paxton, vino also speaks Chinese, left
our party at my request to try to get
message through either by telephone
or telegraph to the American Ambas-
sador at HsnkoW, informing him of
our plight.
AS already mentioned, after dark
all able-bodied men tracked the launch
carrying the wounded around the
little island close to the mainland On
which we had found ourselves. In
the meantime Mr.. Paxton who had
gone on ahead, sent back coolie carriers
from the first village and they carried
our wounded there. At this village
We engaged more coolies and set out
for the next village inland, Hoshien,
which was miles away and 3 miles
away from the river bank. When we
arrived at Hoshien about midnight
We were received and treated with the
greatest kindness by the magistrate
and all the Chinese there and were
quartered in the hospital where we re-
manned throughout the daylight On
Monday, December 13, Ensminger,
storekeeper Cfi.st-class), and Mr..
Sandro Sandri. Italian journalist,
died from their injuries while we were
there.
AT dark that evening, December 10,
we set out for the next town, Hanshan,
by junks which Capt. Roberts had
engaged. 1t was while we were at
Hanshan, approximately IL miles in
land from the left (north) bank, that
I received word of the American and
British gunboats which had been sent
to assist us and Of the presence of a
japanese gunboat to guarantee us
safety from further attacks. The mag
istrate and the Chinese residents of
the second village were just as helpful
as those of the first. Finding the
party and rendering medical aid, they
were willing to have us in spite of the
fact that they thought as we did that
our presence among them would draw
down bombing attacks from the Japa-
nese planes.
We left Hanshan about noon on
December IA in the same junks in
which We had arrived and reached the
Yangtze River about GAS pm. that
night. The entire party was on board
the U. S. S. Oahu and H. M S. Lady,
bird by l am, December Is. All the
passengers who were on board the
Panay were there at their own request.
Il have no complaint to make re-
garding the conduct of any officer
or enlisted man or any passenger. In
my opinion everyone acted with fine
courage and initiative. I consider that
the action of my officers and crew in
attempting to return the fire, render
ing first aid, safely evacuating all
personnel, transporting the wounded,
keeping together and returning as one
party with the dead and wounded, is
sufficient evidence of their courage,
discipline and fortitude. 1 keenly re-
gret that my own injury prevented
me from observing individual acts of
courageous conduct of which I feel
certain. under the circumstances, every
officer and man performed both while
on board ship and during the subse-
quent travelling ashore. I was particu-
larly impressed by and grateful for
the high morale and cheerful and
faithful manner in which my officers
and men assisted one another. deem
1t my duty, however, to comment
particularly upon the cool and coura-
geous conduct of 1t. Arthur F. Anders,
my executive officer, who though
wounded in several places, unable to
speak and suffering severe loss of
blood, kept his feet, directed the fire
and supervised the abandoned ship.
His conduct was an inspiration to all
hands. also consider that 1t. Clark
G. Grazier, Medical Corps, U. S. Navy,
our only doctor, who was fortunately
not wounded, displayed GOODNESS,
ability and resourcefulness with his
treatment Of the many wounded both
while under fire aboard ship and
under very difficult conditions ashore.
His untiring efforts and professional
skill undoubtedly contributed greatly
% reduce the seriousness Of the
injuries"