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BORN:
September 13, 1883 at Trenton, NJ
Entered Service in the US
Navy from Pennsylvania
Earned
The Medal of Honor During Peace Time For heroism as a diver
on April 17, 1915 at Honolulu, HI
DIED: November
23, 1947 at the age of 64
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During the
diving operations in connection with the March 25, 1915 sinking of
the U.S.S. F-4 with all on board in 304 feet of water near
Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, Chief gunner's Mate William F.
Loughman, descended to the wreck and examined one of the wire
hawsers attached to it. Upon starting his ascent, and when at a
depth of 250 feet beneath the surface of the water, his lifeline
and air hose became so badly fouled by this hawser that he was
unable to free himself; he could neither ascend nor descend. On
account of the length of time that Loughman had already been
subjected to the great pressure due to the depth of water, and
because of the uncertainty of the additional time he would have to
be subjected to this pressure before he could be brought to the
surface, it was imperative that steps be taken at once to clear
him. Chief Gunner's Mate Frank Crilley, a Navy Diver, volunteered
to go to his aid, donned a diving suit, and descended. After a
lapse of two hours and 11 minutes, Crilley was brought to the
surface, having by a superb exhibition of skill, coolness,
endurance and fortitude, untangled the snarl of lines and cleared
his imperiled comrade, so that he was brought, still alive, to the
surface.
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