United States Merchant Marine Academy - Midships Yearbook (Kings Point, NY)

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«VERBA Cadet-Midshipman Frederick R. Zito saved the life of a seaman who became entangled in the boat falls in aban- doning their fast sinking ship. In doing this he climbed hand over hand from an awaiting lifeboat to extricate this man who was hanging head down. Both fell in the water and were rescued. Cadet-Midshipman Elmer C. Donnelly while on the same ship as Cadet-Midshipman Vannais volunteered to enter the hold of the flaming vessel and until ordered to leave due to the numerous explosions labored to bring the fire under control. Shown with Cadet-Midshipman Don- nelly at the presentation of the award are Captain Giles C. Sledman. LSNR. Superintendent and Captain P. C. Mahady, USNR. Commandant of Cadet-Midshipmen. iii Cadet-Midshipman Phil C. Vannais’ ship was subjected to a bombing attack by enemy planes. Bomb fragments pierced the hull, and the cargo of high octane gasoline exploded. With flames 200 to 300 feet high, Vannais volunteered to go aboard with a handful of others and combat the inferno, bringing the fire under control. Cadet-Midshipman William L. Thomas returned to a torpedoed engine room to rescue a blind and mangled shipmate. He then lowered this man over the side, strapped to a small liferaft. and swam along side this raft for 20 hours in shark infested waters until picked up. Cadet-Midshipman Walter G. Sittmann volunteered to go aft with the radio operator and cut the mooring lines when a blazing ammunition ship tied next to them at a dock was hit during an air-raid. This courageous act resulted in saving the lives of many others and valuable supplies. 17

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