Letter from John MacKenzie, describing the incident for which
he was awarded the Medal of Honor {from a typescript in the
collection of John MacKenzie, held by the Naval Historical Center}:
10 Bolton St.
So.Hadley Falls,
Mass.,
September 28, 1922
Mr. H. Reutewahl {possibly Henry Reuterdahl, the artist}
Lieut. Comm. U. S. N. R.F. Retd.,
800 Boulevard E.,
Weehawken, N.J.
It has taken me some little time to make up my mind as
to whether or not to write giving you the information which you
requested in your letter of September 8th, and have decided that
what I think of the affair personally must take second place
when the traditions of the Navy are considered. To begin with,
I wish to state that I did not consider that my act warranted
the award of the Medal of Honor, but as my Commanding Officer,
Isaac C. Johnson, thought differently I decided to abide by his
decision.
You are no doubt familiar with weather conditions in the
Bay of Biscay during the month of December and I would like to
give you some idea of conditions existing when my little affair
took place. We left Queiberon Bay at 4 P.M. December 15, 1917
with north bound convoy for Brest and Channel Ports. The convoy
consisted of 45 ships and the patrol. A north easter was kicking
things up in good style when we cleared Belle Isle and by 7 P.M.
the entire convoy had vanished from sight. We had in the Remlik
a sturdy little craft and she managed to worry along through
the night and all of the following day. By the night of the 16th
we had about worn ourselves out and the battering the Remlik
was receiving did not help matters any.
About 7:30 A.M. December 17, 1917, the lookout aloft forward
sighted a periscope on our starboard beam at about 500 yards
distance. I was standing on the Bridge talking with Captain Johnson
when General Quarters sounded. As I had charge of the Machine
Guns and there was no chance to use them owing to the seas running,
I remained on the Bridge. The seas were breaking over us from
stern {stem?} to stern and naturally the decks were awash
all of the time. The Gun Crews were knee deep in water and with
the rolling and pitching of the Remlik were prevented from landing
the U Boat. The general opinion at that time was that she, like
ourselves, had become lost in the storm and was not looking for
fight, but for objects from which to take bearings. However,
she had no more than vanished than a tremendous sea broke over
our stern. I stood on the Bridge looking aft and as the old salt
would have said that sea shivered our timbers and carried away
the depth charge cradle carried aft on the taftrail. After the
freeing ports had disposed of some of the water I could see friend
Depth Bomb cavorting around on the Gun Platform between the Port
rail and the Steering Engine. Knowing that it would hardly do
to let our little pet bump many times I ran down from the bridge
and aft. After several attempts, and as many duckings, I finally
got a toe hold on the Gun Platform and my arms around the bomb.
I then made the discovery that the safety pin had come out of
the bomb and had visions of the bouy section getting away from
me. Could feel the cold chills chasing up and down my spine.
Fortunately, I got the pin back into place at the first attempt.
After several more attempts I swung the Bomb with such a position
that I could both sit on it and at the same time hold on to the
Gun Platform. The ship was then headed up into the sea and Patrick
Danahee, Fireman First Class, helped me to lash bomb to the Gun
Platform.
I am enclosing herewith copy of Captain Johnson's original
letter to the Department.
Since receiving your letter I have received from the Italian
Government the Italian War Cross.
Very truly yours,
JM*CS
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