Evening star., 1944-09-27

Seventeen American Army officers
and three enlisted men were deco
rated by the Earl Of Halifax, British
Ambassador, on behalf Of King
George vi yesterday at the Embassy.
Two military attaches Of other
embassies and an able seaman of
the merchant marine and a Wren
(Women's Royal Naval Service) also
were recipients of decorations.
Most impressive of the decorations
was the wide red ribbon and large
cross hung about the neck of 1t.
Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift, COM
mandant Of the United States Ma
rtne Corps, as he was made a Com
panion of the Order of the Bath.
Between Stated Flags
Lord Halifax lowered at the end
Of the embassy ballroom between
stated flags, the Union Jack and
the Stars and Stripes, in front of
tall French windows through which
the peach trees in the little garden
could be seen. He wore civilian
clothes and no decorations. At his
right stood his secretary, Major
Lockhart, also in civilian clothes.
They were f1anked at the right by
Col. Kenneth McKessick in an army
tunic and plaid trousers and by
Comdr. L. e. Rebbeck of the Royal
Navy. reSplendent in q white uni
form with double 1ourrageres on
his shoulder. On the left were Air
Commodore D.. l.. Blackford and
Squadron Leader w. Roxburgh of
the Raj.
About 100 guests were seated In
gilded chairs In the center of the
ballroom and the persons to be deco
rated ranged along the side. Oficer
after officer, as his name was called
by Maj. Lockhart, marched up side
aisle, turned smartly to the center
turned again and faced the Am
hassador. Ritual was emphasized as
the officers alongside the Ambassa-
dor took turns at reading the cita-
tions.
Squadron Leader Roxburgh acted
as acolyte. He brought each deco
ration to the Ambassador on a red
plush cushion with yellow tassel.
The Ambassador then passed one
end of the ribbon behind the re-
cipient's head and Mr.. Roxburgh
aided by bringing the other end back
and clasping them. The Ambassa-
dor then shook the recipients hand.
After the 10th decoration, FRANKIE,
the Ambassadors dachshund. wad-
died down the aisle and circled
Lord Halifax's tall figure. Lord
Halifax in no way betrayed aware
ness Of Frankie's presence, but Col.
McKessick, the offlcer In the plaid
trousers, was forced to smile. al
British officer seated in the front
rows scooped Frankie into his lap
and the ceremony continued
The father of Capt. Roy w. Olsen,
commander of q bombardment
squadron which few with the Royal
Australian Air Force, came forward
and received his sons decoration.
He was short, white-haired mar.
N. G. Olsen of Cedar Falls. Iowa.
His son was killed.
The mother of Sergt. Clinton l.
Pudney of the Royal Canadian Air
Force, aerial gunner who dragged
his companions from a burning Hall
fax bomber after q crash, received
his medal. She was Mrs. H. A. Pud-
ney OF Buffalo, N. Y, a little woman
dressed in blue.
On Artificial Leg.
The last two to be decorated at
tracted as much attention as any,
One was Able Seaman Arthur Mel.
Barnes. who lives in Baltimore. A
little man in a sailor suit, he
stumped up on an artificial leg to
received the British Empire Medal.
He was eight days in an open boat
In bitter weather after his ship was
torpedoed.
The last was Mrs. Margaret H. M.
Gordon in the white uniform of the
WRENS which she had joined since
the incident which earned her the
Empire Medal. Eighteen months
ago she spent So days in an open |
boat after torpedoing. The cita-
ton told how she did "all in her
power to allay their sufferings." AZ |
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