Mr. Dake was a real hero. He served in the U.S. Navy and joined the U.S. Merchant Marine after discharge, around 1940, 1941.
This is a copy of a very special presentation to him from the President of the United States (from www.usm.org/heroes.html):
The President of the United States takes Pleasure in Presenting the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal to
Charles M. Dake, Jr.
Boatswain on SS Scottsburg/SS George Davis 06/14/42 and 02/09/43
For heroism beyond the line of duty.
When the SS Scottsburg was torpedoed and sunk within a few minutes, Ordinary Seaman Dake, single-handedly launched No. 3 lifeboat, took command and picked up twelve shipmates. Rescued shortly thereafter by another ship in the same convoy, their rescue ship was in turn torpedoed one hour later [SS Kahuku]. As this second vessel went down, Dake, being unable to launch a damaged lifeboat dived into the sea, swam alongside a shipmate, who was an inexpert swimmer, and encouraged him until both safely reached a raft. On a subsequent voyage while serving as boatswain on the SS George Davis, his vessel collided in convoy with another ship which sank shortly thereafter. Dake, seeing one of the gun crew from the sunken vessel struggling in the heavy sea, unhesitatingly went down the side on a cargo net and rescued him. Later he saw another drowning seaman, too weak to catch a life line, and again went over the side and ucceeded in getting him on to a lowered raft and then safely aboard the ship.
His extraordinary courage and expert seamanship in the face of danger saved many lives and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Merchant Marine.
For the President
Admiral Emory Scott Land
Dake lived in Overland Park KS.
Information provided by: Patricia O'Neal
This is a copy of a very special presentation to him from the President of the United States (from www.usm.org/heroes.html):
The President of the United States takes Pleasure in Presenting the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal to
Charles M. Dake, Jr.
Boatswain on SS Scottsburg/SS George Davis 06/14/42 and 02/09/43
For heroism beyond the line of duty.
When the SS Scottsburg was torpedoed and sunk within a few minutes, Ordinary Seaman Dake, single-handedly launched No. 3 lifeboat, took command and picked up twelve shipmates. Rescued shortly thereafter by another ship in the same convoy, their rescue ship was in turn torpedoed one hour later [SS Kahuku]. As this second vessel went down, Dake, being unable to launch a damaged lifeboat dived into the sea, swam alongside a shipmate, who was an inexpert swimmer, and encouraged him until both safely reached a raft. On a subsequent voyage while serving as boatswain on the SS George Davis, his vessel collided in convoy with another ship which sank shortly thereafter. Dake, seeing one of the gun crew from the sunken vessel struggling in the heavy sea, unhesitatingly went down the side on a cargo net and rescued him. Later he saw another drowning seaman, too weak to catch a life line, and again went over the side and ucceeded in getting him on to a lowered raft and then safely aboard the ship.
His extraordinary courage and expert seamanship in the face of danger saved many lives and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Merchant Marine.
For the President
Admiral Emory Scott Land
Dake lived in Overland Park KS.
Information provided by: Patricia O'Neal
Mr. Dake was a real hero. He served in the U.S. Navy and joined the U.S. Merchant Marine after discharge, around 1940, 1941.
This is a copy of a very special presentation to him from the President of the United States (from www.usm.org/heroes.html):
The President of the United States takes Pleasure in Presenting the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal to
Charles M. Dake, Jr.
Boatswain on SS Scottsburg/SS George Davis 06/14/42 and 02/09/43
For heroism beyond the line of duty.
When the SS Scottsburg was torpedoed and sunk within a few minutes, Ordinary Seaman Dake, single-handedly launched No. 3 lifeboat, took command and picked up twelve shipmates. Rescued shortly thereafter by another ship in the same convoy, their rescue ship was in turn torpedoed one hour later [SS Kahuku]. As this second vessel went down, Dake, being unable to launch a damaged lifeboat dived into the sea, swam alongside a shipmate, who was an inexpert swimmer, and encouraged him until both safely reached a raft. On a subsequent voyage while serving as boatswain on the SS George Davis, his vessel collided in convoy with another ship which sank shortly thereafter. Dake, seeing one of the gun crew from the sunken vessel struggling in the heavy sea, unhesitatingly went down the side on a cargo net and rescued him. Later he saw another drowning seaman, too weak to catch a life line, and again went over the side and ucceeded in getting him on to a lowered raft and then safely aboard the ship.
His extraordinary courage and expert seamanship in the face of danger saved many lives and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Merchant Marine.
For the President
Admiral Emory Scott Land
Dake lived in Overland Park KS.
Information provided by: Patricia O'Neal
This is a copy of a very special presentation to him from the President of the United States (from www.usm.org/heroes.html):
The President of the United States takes Pleasure in Presenting the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal to
Charles M. Dake, Jr.
Boatswain on SS Scottsburg/SS George Davis 06/14/42 and 02/09/43
For heroism beyond the line of duty.
When the SS Scottsburg was torpedoed and sunk within a few minutes, Ordinary Seaman Dake, single-handedly launched No. 3 lifeboat, took command and picked up twelve shipmates. Rescued shortly thereafter by another ship in the same convoy, their rescue ship was in turn torpedoed one hour later [SS Kahuku]. As this second vessel went down, Dake, being unable to launch a damaged lifeboat dived into the sea, swam alongside a shipmate, who was an inexpert swimmer, and encouraged him until both safely reached a raft. On a subsequent voyage while serving as boatswain on the SS George Davis, his vessel collided in convoy with another ship which sank shortly thereafter. Dake, seeing one of the gun crew from the sunken vessel struggling in the heavy sea, unhesitatingly went down the side on a cargo net and rescued him. Later he saw another drowning seaman, too weak to catch a life line, and again went over the side and ucceeded in getting him on to a lowered raft and then safely aboard the ship.
His extraordinary courage and expert seamanship in the face of danger saved many lives and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Merchant Marine.
For the President
Admiral Emory Scott Land
Dake lived in Overland Park KS.
Information provided by: Patricia O'Neal
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