Report - Page Three




                                  RECOMMENDATIONS


          1.   That the Commanding Officer, U.S.S. SARSI (Lt. W.M. HOWARD,
               USN), be given a suitable award for the excellent ship's
               organization that he had built up, including the training
               of the crew to cope with emergencies; for his courage and
               leadership on the night in question; and, for his attempts
               to preserve security of classified matter.

          2.   that the First Lieutenant, U.S.S. SARSI (ChBosn Jack BROWN,
               USN), be given a suitable award for his leadership in 
               controlling the officers and men on the main boat decks
               immediately after the explosion (thus preventing a panicky
               situation from developing) and, then when it became apparent
               that the ship must be abandoned, efficiently lowering the
               boats and rafts, and then conning about 39 officers and men
               to safety - - especialy noteworty since through all of this
               he had to assume the responsiblities of, and act for, an 
               injured Executive Officer.

          3.   That Ensign L.F. SANTANGELO, USNR, be given a suitable award
               for his courage and leadership in assembling (on two life
               rafts) and taking charge of a group of about 37 men (about
               half of whom were not good swimmers), and conducting them
               away from the enemy shore until rescued about 8 hours later,

          4.   That D. R. HERTZ BMC, 376 25 97, USN, be given a suitable
               award for his leadership in controlling a small group of men
               in the water by convincing them that they should remain
               together near a Dan Buoy, and for his presence of mind to 
               remove life jackets from dead personnel in order to equip
               those men who had none.

          5.   That Raymond S. PARRISH QMC, USN, be awarded a suitable
               award, posthumously, for his courageous action in assisting
               his Commanding Officer prepare to salvage registered
               publications on the bridge when he might have saved himself
               by completing the task he had initially set out to do - -
               namely, obtain navigational aids for the boats.
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