During that far off war against the Japanese in the first half of the last century I was
sailing in a very small British aircraft carrier in the Indian ocean when we sighted a
lifeboat crammed with shipwrecked American servicemen. We had already
been informed by radio from South East Asia Command of the sinking of
a Liberty Ship in the area and that the enemy submarine was still at large there-
abouts. So it was up to us to put the ship and its crew at risk by stopping and
becoming a sitting duck or get quickly out of the vicinity of the sub.
As seamen we had no choice and hauled the half starved and bedraggled men
aboard.
Many weeks later we received a letter from the Governor of California overflowing
with praise about the rescue of men from a California registered ship and that
our ship’s crew had done more for America than most Americans will ever do.
He said also that he had made arrangements for entire ship’s company to receive
the US Silver Star.
In addition he said any crew member would be most welcome to come and live in America. I don’t know how many took up this offer but some years later I found
myself and family living in the US as my employment was there. I spent most of my working life there. I’ve often wondered did any crew member ever receive the Silver Star, I’m still awaiting mine.
The President who was concerned with your medal entanglement may have left details deep in the White House and I would suggest you write to the present occupant
who is, by the way, keen on removing governmental bureaucracy and giving power
back to the average intelligent American such as yourself, asking if he could lay his hands your relevant file. And if you wouldn’t mind could you please mention my Silver Star.
Hail To The Chief.
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