Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare posthumous Sea Gallantry Medal in gold awarded to a Finn for the rescue of the crew of the S.S. Antinoe by the crew of the S.S. President Roosevelt in the Atlantic Ocean 1926

SEA GALLANTRY MEDAL (Foreign Services), G.V.R., gold, reverse 'For Gallantry and Humanity' (Uno Wirtanen, 'Antinoe' 25th-28th January 1926) complete with gold suspension brooch, nearly extremely fine

The 'Antinoe’ was in distress in the Atlantic Ocean on the 24 January and in response to her S.O.S. the 'President Roosevelt', by means of her W/T direction finder obtained the correct position and proceeded to her assistance, arriving upon the scene soon after noon on that day. About 9 pm during a violent hail and snow storm, the 'Antinoe' was lost sight of owing to failure of her lights and W/T and she was not found again until shortly after 3 pm on the 25th.

At 4 pm there was a temporary lull in the storm, although a very high sea was running, and owing to the desperate position of the 'Antinoe' a boat was launched in charge of Chief Officer Miller and manned by Wirtanen, Heitman, Jacobowirz, Bauer, Fugelsang, Franelich and Fisher.

A vicious squall dashed the boat against the 'President Roosevelt' throwing the crew into the water. They regained the boat and although covered with oil which had been distributed by the 'President Roosevelt' endeavoured to make for the 'Antinoe' but the attempt had to be abandoned. In getting on board again, Wirtanen and Heitman were carried away and drowned.

On the 26th more oil was distributed but the weather was too severe to permit a boat to be sent away and attempts were made to reach the 'Antinoe' with lines but without success. It was possible, however, on the 27th to get another boat away, the weather having moderated and in charge of Mr Miller and manned by 3rd Officer Sloan, 4th Officer Upton, Wall, Beers, Wilke, Fugelsang, Fisher, Riedel and Caldwall, this boat got away about 7.20 pm and after very great difficulty reached the 'Antinoe' and took off 12 survivors who were in a pitiful condition.

Again, on the 28th January about 12.40 am another boat was sent away, Chief Officer Miller being once more in charge, with a crew comprising Upton, Wall, Diaz, Araneda, Alberts, Hahn and Roberts. There was a heavy sea running, but the wind had dropped considerably, and by the light of the moon, the 'Antinoe' was reached and the 13 remaining survivors taken off. Nearly 4 days were occupied in rendering these services and the 'President Roosevelt' lost 6 lifeboats.

Uno Wirtanen, a Fin by birth, was Master at Arms of the S.S. 'President Roosevelt' of New York.

20 gold medals were awarded by the Board of Trade for this dramatic rescue which attracted much international interest at the time. The gold medals together with various presentation pieces for the officers were all presented on board 'President Roosevelt' at Southampton on 6 February 1926. Those to Wirtanen and Heitman, both deceased, were handed to Captain Fried.

The Captain and crew of the 'President Roosevelt' were the recipients of the thanks of the British Government and the congratulations of the Admiralty. The occasion was also marked by a letter of thanks from King George V to President Coolidge to which the President replied.

In the period 1911-37 a total of 44 medals were awarded in gold. With the exception of the Albert Medal (1st class) this is the only official bravery medal awarded in gold.