Frank M. Mathias

The Navy Cross is awarded to Seaman Second Class Frank M. Mathias, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism as a member of the crew of boats sent out from the U.S.S. Whipple to the rescue of men from the Florence H, which vessel, loaded with explosives, was burned in the harbor of Quiberon on the night of the 17th of April, 1918. Almost immediately after the outbreak of fire the water in the vicinity of Florence H was covered with burning powder boxes, many of which exploded, scattering flames throughout the wreckage. The crews of the Whipple’s boats drove their boats into the burning mass without thought of danger to themselves and, assisted by boats from the other ships present in the harbor, succeeded in saving the lives of many men who, but for the help so promptly and heroically extended, must have perished in the wreckage.