On board an American battleship, during the war with Spain, the command was given to prepare for action. A boy, in doing so, let his jacket fall overboard. Inquiring of a lieutenant for permission to go after it, and being refused, he crossed to the side of the ship, and, diving into the water, secured the jacket. Returning on board, the lieutenant had him put in irons. Admiral Dewey, hearing of the incident, ordered the boy before him and inquired why he disobeyed orders and risked his life for a jacket. “Please sir,” replied the boy, “my mother’s photograph was in the pocket.” The admiral was deeply moved, and said, “The boy who loves his mother enough to risk his life for her photo cannot be kept in irons on board an American man-o’-war.”