If George Freeth was indeed presented with the Gold Lifesaving Medal in 1910, why does he not appear on this list?
Gold Lifesaving Medal Awardees
[Unfortunately, it seems the Coast Guard has taken down this list altogether. At least I cannot find it today, 5/7/2018.]
[Mystery solved! George Freeth was not presented with a Congressional Gold Medal after all; what he was instead presented with was a Gold Lifesaving Medal.
If you look at the original image in the newspaper, you can at least make out, “….STAT… OF AMERICA.” on the top, and on the bottom, “ACT OF CONGRESS JUNE 20, 187…” With that information, the Lifesaving Medal was easy to find.
This is not the best image, but it is still better than what can be found online or on the microfilms. If the newspapers were rescanned clearly, there are so many mysteries that could be answered!
Does anyone have any idea where this medal might be today? The reverse side should have George Freeth’s name inscribed with the date and description of his heroic rescue.]
Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XLVI, Helu 34, Aoao 10. Augate 26, 1910.
George Freeth of Honolulu nei is the Hawaiian youth who holds six gold medals [the sixth gold medal], an award from the Congress of America for his fearless rescuing of lives, witnessed at Venice, California, and at the seaside of the Atlantic Ocean, while he was away from home several years ago; there was an announcement aboard the Steamship Sierra last Friday. It said that the Japanese changed the name of their little town in which they live, close to Port Los Angeles, to “Freeth Town”. There was a gift given by the Japanese showing their esteem for this youth for his fearless rescue of some of their kinsmen caught in a terrible storm there some time ago. Continue reading
SAN FRANCISCO, September, 18.—Among the arrivals at the Stewart last evening was George Freeth, the young Honolulu man who attained fame a few months ago at Venice, Cal., by saving the lives of seven Japanese fisherman who were in dire straits. Continue reading
Here are two young men from Honolulu considering going to Los Angeles with a canoe and surfboard to demonstrate the people Hawaii’s entertainment of canoe surfing and board surfing, should the Promotion Committee give their approval to pay for their travelling expenses. George Freeth and Dan Miller are the names of these boys.
(Aloha Aina, 5/4/1907, p. 8)
Ke Aloha Aina, Buke XII, Helu 18, Aoao 8. Mei 4, 1907.
GEORGE FREETH RIDING A SURFBOARD.
Because a haole that is a kamaaina in Honolulu named George Freeth saved the lives of seven Japanese fishermen, he was honored by the Legislature of Hawaii with a gold medal on the 1st of August.
The value of the gold medal is about a hundred and fifty dollars, and upon it is written words speaking of the haole saving the Japanese fishermen on the 16th of December, 1908. Continue reading
nupepa 