Distinguished Service Quotes



A port of Cuba during the Spanish American War. Congress voted the resolution and the medals were awarded. The significance of this event was that the crew included two Black men, Steward Savage and Cook Moses Jones, were also awarded the medals. While under fire, at their own initiative, the two manned an unprotected gun on deck of the ship and added to the firepower of the effort. The Captain specifically asked that they be included in the heroism award. Stewards and cooks were the only positions allowed to Blacks at the time. See {604418}