Newport Navalog

Local Bluejacket
Awarded
Navy,
Marine
Corps
Medal

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal, one of the Navy's highest peacetime decorations was awarded to Lawrence Beckhaus last week for his heroic rescue of a sailor swept off his ship in high seas on 12 Dec.

Rear Admiral John C. Daniel, Commander, Atlantic Fleet Destroyer Force, presented Beckhaus with the award on board the oiler USS Salamonie.

LAWRENCE W. BECKHAUS, right, wearing the Navy and Marine Corps Medal which he received from Rear Admiral John C. Daniel, Commander Destroyer Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, in ceremonies aboard the USS Salamonie, shakes hands with Mr. William Shack, father of George D. Schack, SN, of the USS Gearing. Beckhaus received the medal for his heroic rescue of the younger Schack in stormy waters off the coast of Spain.

It was from the Salamonie that Beckhaus jumped into 60 foot waves to rescue George Schack, who had been swept off the destroyer Gearing during refueling operations.

Captain Edgar L. Beach, Commanding Officer of the Salamonie said that the rescue was very heroic since violently heaving seas made lowering a lifeboat impossible.

Beckhaus donned a harness and dove into the raging sea. He swam against 40 to 60 foot waves to reach the exhausted destroyerman.

After reaching Schack, Beckhaus asked the sailor how he felt? "I'm awfully cold. Can you get me back to the ship?" Schack replied.

After ADM Daniel read the citation which accompanied the medal, the Admiral said that eight destroyermen have been lost overboard this year, "and but for the gunner's mate outstanding heroism, this number might have been nine."

The citation was signed by Thomas S. Gates, Secretary of the Navy.

Beckhaus, a second class gunner's mate, is from Woonsocket, R. I. He is married and has two children of his own.