Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Derde Stuurman

Unit:

s.s. Aagtekerk, Nederlandse Koopvaardij

Awarded on:

1942

"A ship had been torpedoed in convoy. The Fourth Officer of the ship next astern sighten the periscope of a submarine 10 degrees on the starboard bow about 130 yards away. The ship was already turning to starboard to get out of the way of the torpedoed ship, but the Master promptly turned her more rapidly. When the periscope, which was sticking 10 feet out of the water, was abreast the starboard bow and not more than 10 yards away, the instrument was sprayed with machine gun fire. When abeam of No. 3 hatch (before the bridge) the periscope was no longer vertical but heeling towards the ship. Abeam of the bridge the stern and part of the hull were seen sticking about three feet out of the sea, suggesting that the submarine was standing on end in the sea. The ship then turned further and hit the submarine again with her stern.
When the submarine came free of the stern four shells were fired at her as she disappeared. The success was due to the prompt action taken by the Master and the rapid way in which his orders were executed by the Chief and Third Engineers in the engine-room, and by the Third Officer, who took the wheel, as the rapid sequence of orders was beyond the native quarter-master. The Chief Officer was most efficient in seeing that all orders were carried out, and the gunners were very prompt in opening fire the moment their guns could bear."

Posthumously awarded

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Derde Stuurman

Unit:

s.s. Aagtekerk, Nederlandse Koopvaardij

Awarded on:

August 16th, 1948

Posthumously awarded (Royal Decree no. 16)