CRILLEY, FRANK WILLIAM
Rank and organization: Chief Gunner's Mate, U.S.
Navy. Born: 13 September 1883, Trenton, N.J. Accredited to:
Pennsylvania. (19 November 1928).
Citation:
For display of extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession above and beyond the
call of duty during the diving operations in connection with the sinking in a depth of
water 304 feet, of the U.S.S. F-4 with all on board, as a result of loss of depth control,
which occurred off Honolulu, T.H., on 25 March 1915. On 17 April 1915, William F.
Loughman, chief gunner's mate, U.S. Navy, who had descended to the wreck and had 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, had his lifeline and air hose 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 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. Instantly, realizing the desperate
case of his comrade, Crilley volunteered to go to his aid, immediately donned a diving
suit and descended. After a lapse of time of 2 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.
