Delaware Co. PAGenWeb Archives Military, World War II - Seaman Bertram E. McDOWELL, 1942 
Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal

Contributed to PAGenWeb Archives by Nancy Annie Odegard - Nurse73NAO@aol.com

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SEAMAN BERTRAM E. McDOWELL - Distinguished Service Medal - 12 May 1942
 
 
   The President of the United States Takes Pleasure in Presenting the Merchant 
   Marine Distinguished Service Medal to
 
 
   BERTRAM E. McDOWELL
   Wiper on SS Virginia  5/12/1942

 
   For Heroism beyond the call of duty.
 
 
   When the first torpedo hit his ship, the SS Virginia, the platform in the engine
 
   room, on which McDOWELL and the Second Assistant Engineer were
 
   standing, buckled and the officer was trapped. Refusing to leave him,
 
   McDOWELL courageously struggled until he had freed his shipmate and
 
   dragged him clear. Upon reaching the main deck, he encountered another
 
   shipmate who had been injured -- gave him his own lifejacket -- and then, with
 
   utter disregard of his own safety, went below for extra clothing for this man. It
 
   was while on this mission that the second and third torpedoes hit the ship in
 
   quick succession and spread burning gasoline over the ship and on the
 
   surrounding water. In assisting this man over the side, McDOWELL received
 
   serious burns which subsequently proved fatal. Even after jumping into the 
 
   flame-swept water, and despite his injuries, he assisted in holding up another
 
   of his injured shipmates.
 
 
   His heroic actions in risking, and subsequently giving, his own life while 
 
   assisting three shipmates were in keeping with the finest traditions of the 
 
   United States Merchant Marine.
 

   For the President
   Admiral EMORY SCOTT LAND
 
 
 
An image of Bertram E. McDOWELL can be seen at
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/delaware/military/mcdowell-be.jpg