Col. AMMM 1946.040.0001
In December 1943, SS CEDAR MILLS and her French destroyer escort were caught in a violent cyclone and became widely separated. The destroyer, short of fuel and unable to maneuver, was in a sinking condition with a
forty-five degree list when the CEDAR MILLS picked up her distress call. Against strong winds and mountainous seas, she fought through to the other ship’s assistance, succeeded in transferring most of her crew, and towed the destroyer for five days until rendezvous was made with a British man-of-war which relieved her.The stark courage of her gallant crew in this heroic rescue caused her name to be perpetuated as a Gallant Ship.
