Philip C. Bleil, of the Metropolitan Police force of New York City, for rescuing, at different times, several persons from drowning, from November, 1876, to June, 1877. Awarded January 4. 1878.
Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary,
Washington, D. C., January 15, 1878.
To
Mr. Philip C. Bleil,
Patrolman, New York Metropolitan Police,
New York City.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a life-saving medal of the first class, which has been awarded to you under authority of the Act of Congress approved June 20, 1874, in recognition of your services in rescuing from drowning, at the peril of your own life, six persons, on as many occasions, since 1875.
The papers in your case, transmitted to the Department, show that in twelve other instances you rescued persons from drowning. It is regretted that as these rescues were effected prior to the date of the Act of June 20, 1874, they cannot be recognized and honored by the inscription upon the medal awarded you. It is, however, proper that they should be remembered here, in connection with the six deliverances which the medal aims to commemorate, and that thus due acknowledgment should be made of your gallant record as the preserver of eighteen human lives. No record could be prouder, nor could any give you a better title to the respect and gratitude of your fellow beings. In sending you this token of the public appreciation of your noble courage and humanity, it gives me the truest pleasure to add an expression of my sense of your heroism, together with the hope that you may long adorn the force with which you are connected and the community which must rank you among its worthiest citizens.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
smcap">John Sherman,
Secretary.
June 20, 1874.
Life Saving medal of the second class. United States of America. ℞. In testimony of heroic deeds, etc.