Posted by Pamula rediess-stram on January 20, 2017, 7:27 pm
I have a letter stating my dad earned the highest metal awarded in the coastgaurd,back in the day, so my dad refused to get his, supposedly from the president at the time, so I got it several years ago. But no where in any of his carrer or either accident I know or does it mention why?
Dear Pamula. I for one can draw comparisons on your medal predicament. 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.