LIEUT. EDOUARD V. M. ISAACS, UNITED STATES NAVY.
"When the U.S.S. _President Lincoln_ was attacked and sunk by the German submarine _U-90_, on May 21, 1918, Lieutenant Isaacs was captured and held as a prisoner on board the _U-90_ until the return of the submarine to Germany, when he was confined in the prison camp. During his stay on the _U-90_ he obtained information of the movements of German submarines which was so important that he determined to escape, with a view to making this information available to the United States and allied naval authorities. In attempting to carry out this plan he jumped through the window of a rapidly moving train, at the imminent risk of death, not only from the nature of the act itself but from the fire of the armed German soldiers who were guarding him. Having been recaptured and reconfined, he made a second and successful attempt to escape, breaking his way through barbed-wire fences and deliberately drawing the fire of the armed guards in the hope of permitting others to escape during the confusion. He made his way through the mountains of southwestern Germany, having only raw vegetables for food, and at the end swam the River Rhine during the night in the immediate vicinity of German sentries." (Act of February 4, 1919.)
Chief carpenter's mate, serving on board the U.S.S. _Petrel_, for heroism in the presence of the enemy, Manila, P.I., May 1, 1898. (G.O. 13, December 5, 1900.)
Ordinary seaman on board the U.S.S. _C. P. Williams_, Stono Inlet, August 16, 1863; was stationed on the forecastle lookout, and discovered two torpedoes floating down so as to cross the bow of the vessel; seized a boat hook, jumped on the bobstays, and carefully guided the torpedoes down with the tide. Subsequently he volunteered to remove the caps, which he did with skill and courage. (G.O. 32, April 16, 1864.)
Apprentice, first class, United States Navy, for distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy, Katbalogan, Samar, P.I., July 16, 1900. (G.O. 55, July 19, 1901.)
Captain of top on board of the U.S.S. _Richmond_, Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, commended for coolness and good conduct as captain of a gun in the action in Mobile Bay, on the morning and forenoon of August 5, 1864. He came off the sick list at the commencement of the action, went to his quarters, and fought his gun well during the entire action. He was in the actions with Forts Jackson and St. Philip, the rebel ironclads and gunboats below New Orleans, the Chalmettes, the batteries below Vicksburg, and present at the surrender of New Orleans. Joined the _Richmond_ September, 1863. (G.O. 45, December 31, 1864.)