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Show BRITISH' OFFER HIGH HONORS 10 SIX IERIK Officers and Men of Two U. S. Destroyers Worthy of Decorations for Good Service. NAVY DEPARTMENT ISSUES STATEMENT Laws of This Country Prevent Pre-vent Soldiers and Sailors From Receiving Such Consideration. WASHINGTON, Nov. 23. An offer bv the British admiralty to decorate rt-rtain officers and men of two American Amer-ican destroyers for their services in combating German submarines has been declined, Secretary Daniels announced an-nounced today, because the laws of this country prevent soldiers and sailors from receiving decorations from foreign for-eign governments. Lieutenant Commanders Charles A. Blakeley and George F. Neal were to be nominated for the distinguished serv-jco serv-jco order; Lieutenant "Loftin and -Ensign Henry N. Fallon, for the distinguished distin-guished service cross, and Quartermaster Quartermas-ter W. H. Justice and Chief Machinist's Mate B. G. McNaughton for the distinguished dis-tinguished service order medal. The names of the ships to -which the officers and men are attached were withheld for military reasons. The British admiralty's desire to decorate the men was transmitted through the British ambassador to the state department and referred by it to the navy department. Prompt Action Taken. "In the case of one destroyer," said a statement issued by Secretary Daniels, Dan-iels, "the admiralty advises that the vessel was convoying a merchantman when the periscope of a submarine was sighted at a distance of about 800 yards. The destroyer immediately increased in-creased speed and "headed toward the submarine which submerged but reap-' reap-' neured shortly afterward traveling in fJho opposite direction. The LT-boat next passed close on the starboard side of the destroyer which released a depth charge probably causing serious damage if not destruction to the submarine. "Praising the excellent organization, preparedness and discipline on board i the destroyer, as well as the quick j decision of the officers of the watch, the , British commander-in-chief proposed to recommend Lieutenant Commander ; Blakeley, the commanding officer, for appointment to the distinguished service' serv-ice' order, and Ensign Henry N. Fallon, for award to the distinguished service iTOSS. Headed ,for U-boat. "The other destroyer was one of a number escorting troop ships and was j eruising in station formation when the , wave of a periscopo was sighted 1S00 j prds off the port bow by the quar- j termaster of the watch on dutv. He reported re-ported to the oflicers of the watch (vho immediately sounded general quarters. quar-ters. The executive officer of the destroyer de-stroyer was tho first officer to reach the bridge, being closely followed by the , commanding officer. The executive ofti- cer rang for full speed ahead on reaching reach-ing the bridge and altered' the destroyer's destroy-er's course to head for the periscope. "The commanding officer then took! command of the ship and maneuvered j her so as to gain a favorable position for dropping a depth charge, directing i the executive officer to drop the charge when he deemed it proper to do so. The ! charge was dropped, it is estimated, I when the destroyer was about 25 yards ! directly ahead of the neriscope and in j the direction of the submarine's ad-j vance. j Debris Seen to Rise. . ,V "After the explosion of the charge j ) 5bris was seen to rise to the surface: accompanied by large bubbles and dis- I coloration of the water. j ' ' l''or their services in this engage- mcnt the British commander-in-chief j njide the following recommendation: I "Lieutenant Commander Xe-al for :hc distinguished service order because It was considered that the efficient way the attack was launched was due to bis prompt and decisive action and the nfiilant lookout maintained ou the destroyer. de-stroyer. "Lieutenant Loftin for the ilistin-Ijuished ilistin-Ijuished service cross for the way he handled the situation in a prompt and decisive manner after arriving on the bridge. "Quartermaster, first class, Justice 5nd Chief Machinist MacXaughton for the distinguished service medal." |