World War I
Day served with a Royal Marine detachment on the battleship HMS Britannia.
On 9 November 1918, two days before the armistice, the ship was torpedoed and sunk. Day distinguished himself by twice returning below deck, through smoke and flames, to rescue two injured men trapped inside which included the ward-room steward. For this act of bravery, Day was awarded Albert Medal (sea, second class). The citation appeared in the London Gazette on 7 January 1919.
In 1971 all Albert Medal holders became eligible to exchange their award for a George Cross, which Day did.
Read more about this topic: Harry Day
Famous quotes containing the words war i, world and/or war:
“The Minstrel Boy to the war is gone
In the ranks of death youll find him,
His fathers sword he has girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him.”
—Thomas Moore (17791852)
“Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid.... He is the hero, he is everything. He must be a complete man and a common man and yet an unusual man. He must be, to use a rather weathered phrase, a man of honor, by instinct, by inevitability, without thought of it, and certainly without saying it. He must be the best man in his world and a good enough man for any world.”
—Raymond Chandler (18881959)
“But, after the war was over, just think what came to pass
A letter, sir; and the two were safe back in the old Bluegrass.
The lad had got across the border, riding Kentucky Belle;
And Kentuck she was thriving, and fat, and hearty, and well;
He cared for her, and kept her, nor touched her with whip or spur:
Ah! weve had many horses, but never a horse like her!”
—Constance Fenimore Woolson (18401894)