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 war, world and/or war:
“War is pillage versus resistance and if illusions of magnitude could be transmuted into ideals of magnanimity, peace might be realized.”
—Marianne Moore (1887–1972)
“My mother learned that she was carrying me at about the same time the Second World War was declared; with the family talent for magic realism, she once told me she had been to the doctor’s on the very day.”
—Angela Carter (1940–1992)
“The world of knowledge takes a crazy turn
When teachers themselves are taught to learn.”
—Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956)
“In the present civil war it is quite possible that God’s purpose is something different from the purpose of either party.”
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)