REAR ADMIRAL PERCY W. FOOTE
Rear Admiral Percy W. Foote, son of Major James H. Foote (CSA and deputy US Marshall),
was commander of the U.S.S. President Lincoln on May 31, 1918, when the ship was hit by
a torpedo. The ship sank in 23 minutes. Admiral Foote stood on the bridge with his megaphone
and gave orders "as calmly as if we were maneuvering out of a harbor instead of getting away
from a sinking ship as quickly as possible."
The ship was returning to America from carrying 5,000 to Europe. There were 715 men aboard,
some of whom were sick and wounded soldiers, yet he rescued and saved all of his human cargo
except twenty-six. This resulted in him being promoted as aide to Secretary of the Navy Josephus
Daniels. Admiral Foote was decorated with the Order of the Crown in person by King Albert of
Belgium in 1919 and also decorated D.M.S. by president Woodrow Wilson. He was again honored
when asked to deliver the Memorial Day address in New York some two years later.
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