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Show ! COMMENDS BOATSWAIN FOR HEROISM. Many members of the U. S. army and navy are being commended for bravery in action or in emergencies. A typical case is that of John Mc-Kenzie. Mc-Kenzie. chief boatswain's mate, of the naval reserve force described in a navy department statement: The case is unique, in that it has to do with one of the latest engines of war. As is well known, United States destroyers and other submarine subma-rine fighters carry depth charges containing a large amount of high explosives which are dropped in the path of enemy submarines and explode ex-plode under water. These have proved effective weapons in the destruction de-struction of U-boats, and they are safe enough when the safety pins are affixed; but when they get beyond be-yond control and the safety pins come out they are a source of serious ser-ious danger to the vessels carrying them. It will be recalled that the men on the U. S. S. "Manley" who lost their lives in the collision of that destroyer with a British vessel were killed by the explosion of one of these bombs. In a heavy gale on the morning of December 17. 1917, a depth charge on the "Remlik" broke loose from its position on the stern. The box went overboard, but the charge was hurled in the opposite direction and went bouncing about the deck As it weighs hundreds of pounds it was impossible for anyone to lift the bomb and carry it to safety. It was even dangerous for anyone to go to that part of the ship, as the seas were washing over the stern. As the officers and crew watched the bomb someone shouted, "The pin's come out." Realizing the danger, Mackenzie, exclaiming, "Watch me; I'll get it," dashed down the deck and flung himself on the charging cylinder. Three times he almost had his arms around the bomb, but each time it tore from him, once almost crushing him. The fourth time he got a grip on it and heaved it upright on one flat end. Then he sat on it and held it down. The charge might have broken loose again and exploded at any moment, blowing Mackenzie to bits, but he held on firmly until lines could be run to him and man and depth bomb safely lashed. Soon afterwards the ship was headed up Into the sea and the charge carried to a place of safety. safe-ty. The commanding officer of the "Remlik" in his report recommending recommend-ing that the medal of honor be conferred con-ferred on Mackenzie, says: "Mackenzie, in acting as he did, exposed his life and prevented a serious ser-ious accident to the ship and probably prob-ably loss of the ship and entire crew. Had this depth charge exploded on the quarter deck with the sea and the wind that existed at the time, there Is no doubt that the ship would have been lost." |