BULMER, R. C. Citation: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to R. C. Bulmer, Captain, U.S. Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Black Hawk, flagship and repair ship of the mine force engaged in the laying of the North Sea mine barrage and subsequently mine sweeping.
Other Memories
USS Black Hawk (AD-9, originally ID # 2140), 1918-1948
USS Black Hawk, a 5690-ton (displacement) destroyer tender, was built in 1913 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the 6381 gross ton commercial freighter Santa Catalina. She was purchased by the Navy in December 1917 and, following conversion work, placed in commission in mid-May 1918 as USS Black Hawk (ID # 2140). In June 1918 the ship steamed across the Atlantic to Inverness, Scotland, to begin World War I duty as flagship and tender to forces engaged in laying the North Sea mine barrage. When fighting ended in November she began supporting the effort to sweep up those thousands of mines. For nearly all of 1919, until the barrage was declared cleared, Black Hawk was based at Kirkwall, Orkney Islands. She returned to the U.S. in November 1919 and was then stationed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as tender for destroyers in reserve.
Chain of Command
After World War I, he served as United States naval representative at a conference which met at the British Admiralty to consider clearing the seas of mines after the war. On 5 January 1919 he assumed command of that operation. His zeal and courage, combined with a sound knowledge of his profession, contributed greatly to the success of the mine force. Captain Bulmer died at Kirkwall, Scotland on August 5, 1919.
Chain of Command
Capt. Bulmer disembarked for the last time at 0017 on 1 August and, tragically, just three days later suffered severe injuries in an automobile accident. He died on 5 August, and his loss was felt tremendously throughout the detachment, since his intrepid personality had stamped itself on the force and inspired it during his time in command.
Other Memories
During June 1919, Auk participated in the third clearance operation on the barrage, getting underway from Kirkwall for the minefields on 5 June and returning to port on the 27th. She broke up the routine with brief visits to Kirkwall and Otterswick (9 and 12 June, respectively), but spent most of the month on the barrage. This time around, her sweeping partners included the familiar Oriole, Robin, and Swallow (Minesweeper No. 4). Highlighting this operation was the shaking-up suffered by the ship when a mine exploded on 21 June. At 1827, an explosion 50 yards astern sent out shock waves that tripped the generators (plunging the engine and fire rooms into darkness) and knocked down part of the brick walls in her two boilers. Fortunately, the damage was not serious enough to incapacitate the ship; and she resumed sweeping operations the next day.
During the next two minesweeping operations that followed, Auk served as the flagship for the detachment commander, Capt. Roscoe C. Bulmer, a highly regarded man, revered by the men he commanded. Capt. Bulmer embarked for the first time at Kirkwall on 7 July 1919 when he broke his broad pennant in Auk shortly before she proceeded to sea. That day, she teamed with her old consort Oriole in sweeping a portion of the field that had been lain on 13 October of the previous year and, on the following day, swept in company with Eider (Minesweeper No. 17).
The 9th of July, however, proved a momentous day. As a chronicler of the North Sea Mine Barrage clearance wrote: ". . . misfortune did not rain; it poured." Exploding mines damaged three minesweepers, the tug Patuxent, and a subchaser. Again sweeping in company with Eider, Auk shuddered under the impact of an explosion at 0925 that, in turn, countermined another mine 25 yards off her starboard bow; in a chain reaction, a third explosion (probably caused by the second) rolled the sea 30 yardsastern, carrying away the sweep and resulting in the loss of a "kite" and 70 fathoms of precious wire as well. But all these mishaps proved but a preliminary to what transpired soon thereafter.
At 1000, an upper level mine exploded beneath Pelican (Minesweeper No. 27), which in turn triggered five simultaneous countermines around her. The little ship disappeared in a veritable cloud of spray that, when it subsided, revealed Pelican - heavily hit, battered, and holed - assuming a list before beginning to settle. As the seemingly mortally wounded minesweeper wallowed in the swells, Auk, with Capt. Bulmer directing the rescue operations, immediately altered course to close her stricken sister ship.
Passing a line at 1008, within 10 minutes of the explosions, she drew alongside Pelican. After seeing one hose line part, Auk passed another to aid her stricken sister ship in pumping out the rapidly rising water belowdecks. However, the rough seas repeatedly slammed the ships together, damaging lines and hoses, and forcing their replacement. At 1054, Teal (Minesweeper No. 23) passed a towline and began moving ahead with the crippled Pelican, in turn tethered to Auk, astern.
Eider fell in with the group as it labored ahead, securing to Pelican's starboard side, Eider and Auk acting much in the fashion of waterwings, keeping their sister ship afloat between them. Difficulties soon arose, however, as the ships struggled toward the Orkneys. A head sea sprang up, tossing the minecraft about and straining moorings and hose lines. Pump lines carried away and, soon thereafter - shorn of the means for keeping her afloat - Pelican began to settle furthur by the bow. The pressure of the water in the flooded forward compartments in the damaged ship now buckled and distorted the forward fireroom bulkhead - the only barrier between Pelican and the sea that seemed determined to claim her.
At 2300, Capt. Bulmer ordered most of Pelican's crew transferred to Eider. A dozen volunteers chosen from the crew (all had stepped forward when asked to hazard staying on board) - all that was absolutely necessary "to care for the ship" - remained on board Pelican. Gradually, however, the pumps of Auk and Eider, working full capacity after the lines had been repaired and again placed in operation, succeeded in lowering Pelican's, waterline. The battle to keep Pelican afloat continued on into the night and into the predawn darkness, men standing by with axes to chop through the mooring lines should Pelican give any indication of imminent sinking.
Finally, on the morning of 10 July, the valiant little flotilla limped into Tresness Bay where Auk's pumps continued to help lower her sister ship's waterline even further.
Underway to return to Kirkwall at 1726, Auk reached her destination a little over four hours later, disembarking the indomitable Capt. Bulmer (whose seamanship many credited with having saved Pelican) soon thereafter. The next day, Auk transported Rear Admiral Elliott Strauss, Commander, Mine Force, from Kirkwall to Inverness, Scotland, before she returned thence to Kirkwall, ready to resume operations on the minefields.
Shortly after midnight on 22 July, Capt. Bulmer transferred his command pennant from Black Hawk to Auk and wore it in the ship as she teamed with Oriole during the detachment's fifth mine clearance operation. Capt. Bulmer disembarked for the last time at 0017 on 1 August and, tragically, just three days later suffered severe injuries in an automobile accident. He died on 5 August, and his loss was felt tremendously throughout the detachment, since his intrepid personality had stamped itself on the force and inspired it during his time in command.
Criteria The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguish themselves by exceptionally meritorious ser... The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguish themselves by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great responsibility. MoreHide
Comments Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Awarded posthumously for actions during the World War I
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (Pos... Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Awarded posthumously for actions during the World War I
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Captain Roscoe Carlyle Bulmer, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Black Hawk, flagship and repair ship of the mine force engaged in the laying of the North Sea mine barrage and subsequently mine sweeping.
Action Date: World War I
Service: Navy
Rank: Captain
Company: Commanding Officer
Division: U.S.S. Black Hawk MoreHide
Criteria The World War I Victory Medal was awarded for military service during the First World War. It was awarded for active service between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918; for service with the American... The World War I Victory Medal was awarded for military service during the First World War. It was awarded for active service between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918; for service with the American Expeditionary Forces in European Russia between November 12, 1918, and August 5, 1919; or for service with the American Expeditionary Forces in Siberia between November 23, 1918, and April 1, 1920. MoreHide
Description
Killed in Action: USS Black Hawk, mine sweeping operations, 5 August, 1919.
Description The United States of America declared war on the German Empire on April 6, 1917. The U.S. was an independent power and did not officially join the Allies. It closely cooperated with them militarily buThe United States of America declared war on the German Empire on April 6, 1917. The U.S. was an independent power and did not officially join the Allies. It closely cooperated with them militarily but acted alone in diplomacy. The U.S. made its major contributions in terms of supplies, raw material and money, starting in 1917. American soldiers under General John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), arrived in large numbers on the Western Front in the summer of 1918. They played a major role until victory was achieved on November 11, 1918. Before entering the war, the U.S had remained neutral, though it had been an important supplier to Great Britain and the other Allied powers. During the war, the U.S mobilized over 4 million military personnel and suffered 110,000 deaths, including 43,000 due to the influenza pandemic. The war saw a dramatic expansion of the United States government in an effort to harness the war effort and a significant increase in the size of the U.S. military. After a slow start in mobilising the economy and labour force, by spring 1918 the nation was poised to play a role in the conflict. Under the leadership of President Woodrow Wilson, the war represented the climax of the Progressive Era as it sought to bring reform and democracy to the world, although there was substantial public opposition to United States entry into the war.
Although the United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, it did not initially declare war on the other Central Powers, a state of affairs that Woodrow Wilson described as an "embarrassing obstacle" in his State of the Union speech. Congress declared war on the Austro-Hungarian Empire on December 17, 1917, but never made declarations of war against the other Central Powers, Bulgaria, the Ottoman Empire or the various Co-belligerents allied with the central powers, thus the United States remained uninvolved in the military campaigns in central, eastern and southern Europe, the Middle East, the Caucasus, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Pacific.
The United States as late as 1917 maintained only a small army, smaller than thirteen of the nations and empires already active in the war. After the passage of the Selective Service Act in 1917, it drafted 2.8 million men into military service. By the summer of 1918 about a million U.S. soldiers had arrived in France, about half of whom eventually saw front-line service; by the Armistice of November 11 approximately 10,000 fresh soldiers were arriving in France daily. In 1917 Congress gave U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans when they were drafted to participate in World War I, as part of the Jones Act. In the end Germany miscalculated the United States' influence on the outcome of the conflict, believing it would be many more months before U.S. troops would arrive and overestimating the effectiveness of U-boats in slowing the American buildup.
The United States Navy sent a battleship group to Scapa Flow to join with the British Grand Fleet, destroyers to Queenstown, Ireland and submarines to help guard convoys. Several regiments of Marines were also dispatched to France. The British and French wanted U.S. units used to reinforce their troops already on the battle lines and not to waste scarce shipping on bringing over supplies. The U.S. rejected the first proposition and accepted the second. General John J. Pershing, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) commander, refused to break up U.S. units to serve as mere reinforcements for British Empire and French units. As an exception, he did allow African-American combat regiments to fight in French divisions. The Harlem Hellfighters fought as part of the French 16th Division, earning a unit Croix de Guerre for their actions at Château-Thierry, Belleau Wood, and Séchault.
Impact of US forces on the war
On the battlefields of France in spring 1918, the war-weary Allied armies enthusiastically welcomed the fresh American troops. They arrived at the rate of 10,000 a day, at a time when the Germans were unable to replace their losses. After British Empire, French and Portuguese forces had defeated and turned back the powerful final German offensive (Spring Offensive of March to July, 1918), the Americans played a role in the Allied final offensive (Hundred Days Offensive of August to November). However, many American commanders used the same flawed tactics which the British, French, Germans and others had abandoned early in the war, and so many American offensives were not particularly effective. Pershing continued to commit troops to these full- frontal attacks, resulting in high casualties against experienced veteran German and Austrian-Hungarian units. Nevertheless, the infusion of new and fresh U.S. troops greatly strengthened the Allies' strategic position and boosted morale. The Allies achieved victory over Germany on November 11, 1918 after German morale had collapsed both at home and on the battlefield.... More
Memories BULMER, R. C. Citation: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy DistinguBULMER, R. C. Citation: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to R. C. Bulmer, Captain, U.S. Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Black Hawk, flagship and repair ship of the mine force engaged in the laying of the North Sea mine barrage and subsequently mine sweeping.... More
Chain of Command
Commanded the USS Sylph (PY-5). Captain of U.S.S. Sylph, 1906 – 16 May, 1908.
Other Memories
Sylph (PY-5) Patrol Yacht: Built by John Roach and Co., Chester, PA. Acquired by the Navy in June 1898. Commissioned USS Sylph 18 August 1989 at the Norfolk Navy Yard for use as a Presidential Yacht. Designated a Patrol Yacht, PY-5, 17 July 1921. Decommissioned, 27 April 1929 at the Norfolk Navy Yard.
Criteria The Spanish War Service Medal commemorates certain service during the Spanish-American War. It was awarded for military service of not less than ninety days between April 20, 1898, and April 11, 1899,... The Spanish War Service Medal commemorates certain service during the Spanish-American War. It was awarded for military service of not less than ninety days between April 20, 1898, and April 11, 1899, to servicemen who were not eligible for the Spanish Campaign Medal. The Spanish War Service Medal was originally intended for members of the National Guard mobilized during the Spanish-American War but who were not eligible for the Spanish Campaign Medal. MoreHide
Description The Spanish–American War (Spanish: Guerra hispano-estadounidense or Guerra hispano-americana; Filipino: Digmaang Espanyol-Amerikano) was a conflict fought between Spain and the United States in 1898. The Spanish–American War (Spanish: Guerra hispano-estadounidense or Guerra hispano-americana; Filipino: Digmaang Espanyol-Amerikano) was a conflict fought between Spain and the United States in 1898. Hostilities began in the aftermath of the internal explosion of the USS Maine in Havana harbor in Cuba leading to United States intervention in the Cuban War of Independence. American acquisition of Spain's Pacific possessions led to its involvement in the Philippine Revolution and ultimately in the Philippine–American War.
Revolts had been occurring for some years in Cuba against Spanish rule. The U.S. later backed these revolts upon entering the Spanish–American War. There had been war scares before, as in the Virginius Affair in 1873. In the late 1890s, US public opinion was agitated by anti-Spanish propaganda led by newspaper publishers such as Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst which used yellow journalism to call for war. The business community across the United States had just recovered from a deep depression, and feared that a war would reverse the gains. They lobbied vigorously against going to war.
The US Navy battleship Maine was mysteriously sunk in Havana harbor; political pressures from the Democratic Party pushed the administration of Republican President William McKinley into a war that he had wished to avoid.[9] Spain promised time and time again that it would reform, but never delivered. The United States sent an ultimatum to Spain demanding that it surrender control of Cuba. First Madrid declared war, and Washington then followed suit.
The main issue was Cuban independence; the ten-week war was fought in both the Caribbean and the Pacific. US naval power proved decisive, allowing expeditionary forces to disembark in Cuba against a Spanish garrison already facing nationwide Cuban insurgent attacks and further wasted by yellow fever. Numerically superior Cuban, Philippine, and US forces obtained the surrender of Santiago de Cuba and Manila despite the good performance of some Spanish infantry units and fierce fighting for positions such as San Juan Hill. Madrid sued for peace with two obsolete Spanish squadrons sunk in Santiago de Cuba and Manila Bay and a third, more modern fleet recalled home to protect the Spanish coasts.
The result was the 1898 Treaty of Paris, negotiated on terms favorable to the US which allowed it temporary control of Cuba and ceded ownership of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippine islands. The cession of the Philippines involved payment of $20 million ($575,760,000 today) to Spain by the US to cover infrastructure owned by Spain.
The defeat and collapse of the Spanish Empire was a profound shock to Spain's national psyche, and provoked a thorough philosophical and artistic revaluation of Spanish society known as the Generation of '98.[ The United States gained several island possessions spanning the globe and a rancorous new debate over the wisdom of expansionism. It was one of only five US wars (against a total of eleven sovereign states) to have been formally declared by Congress.... More
Killed in Action, 5 August 1919.
BULMER, R. C.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to R. C. Bulmer, Captain, U.S. Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Black Hawk, flagship and repair ship of the mine force engaged in the laying of the North Sea mine barrage and subsequently mine sweeping.
USS Black Hawk (AD-9, originally ID # 2140), 1918-1948
USS Black Hawk, a 5690-ton (displacement) destroyer tender, was built in 1913 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the 6381 gross ton commercial freighter Santa Catalina. She was purchased by the Navy in December 1917 and, following conversion work, placed in commission in mid-May 1918 as USS Black Hawk (ID # 2140). In June 1918 the ship steamed across the Atlantic to Inverness, Scotland, to begin World War I duty as flagship and tender to forces engaged in laying the North Sea mine barrage. When fighting ended in November she began supporting the effort to sweep up those thousands of mines. For nearly all of 1919, until the barrage was declared cleared, Black Hawk was based at Kirkwall, Orkney Islands. She returned to the U.S. in November 1919 and was then stationed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as tender for destroyers in reserve.