All Hands Naval Bulletin - Oct 1942

8/4/2019 All Hands Naval Bulletin - Oct 1942

1/67


2/67

NAVY DAY-1942Navy D ay this year means more than at any time in our history. It is aday of days on which we can rededicate our best efforts to our common cause,

as we pay just t ribute to the brave men of our fleet who are taking the battleto the enemy. Every American is proud of those men-they have earnedevery Americans utmost gratitude.

When war reached our shores, the blow was an ac t of treachery unparal-leled in history. At PearlHarbor, soon after war broke out, I saw the effects of that attack . And Ilearned the grim determination of the men of our fleet to avenge the insult toour flag-to repay the Japs a thousandfold for the murder and ruin they hadcaused.

Today, 10 months af ter , we are seeing the fruits of that determination.Through the broad sweeps of tha mighty Pacific, in the Atlantic, and whereverthe men of our fleets encounter the enemy, they are fighting as only free mencan fight.I am proud t o s a y that all America appreciates the magnificent job theyare doing; and America is expressing that gratitude by going all out in theS s v y expansion program. The shipyards are turning out the ships and planes,

and red-blooded patriots from the length and breadth of our land are volun-teering to man those ships and planes-anxious to become a part of our greatXavy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps. The prople believe in you, andhave faith in you.

Hawaii was the first to feel the force of the blow.

Keep up the good work, men af the fleet.

This month marks the celebration throughout the nation of the first Navy Day everheld in wartime. The date, October 27, will find citizens of hundreds of communitiesthroughout the nation honoring the Navy with luncheons, parades, dinners, band con-certs, and kindred observances. Nation-wide radio programs will bring into millions ofAmerican homes such prominent Navy speakers as Secretary Knox; Admiral William D .Leahy, Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy; Admiral ErnestJ. King, Commander in Chief of the United States Fleet, and others.li6904--42-1


3/67

6A hThree Navy CrossesTwo Heroes Break Record Two Days Apurt

Lt. Noel Arthur Meredyth Gaylcr, U. S. N.,became the first TJnited States hero ever toreceive three Eavy Cross awards when Sec-retary of the Navy Frank K nox presented himn-ith a gold star in lieu of a third Navy Crosson September 10-and then 2 days later, Lt.Claxence Earle Dickinson, Jr., U. S. N., wasalso announced a winner of his third NavyCross, besides having previoidy been awardedthe Air hIedal.

A Naval aviator, Lieutenant Gayler re-ceived the Navy Cross and a gold star in lieu

of a second Navy Cross for his exploits inaerial combat with superior Japanese air groupson February 20 and again on March 10. Hewon his second gold star in lieu of a thirdNavv Cross for his skill, aggressiveness, zeal,courage, and utter disregard for his life indestroying two Japanese aircraft and damagingtwo others on May 7 arid 8 during the battleof the Coral Sea.

Lieutenant Dicltinsons awards came forsimilar heroism in four actions against theJapanese. Also a naval aviator, he engaged

-Oth


4/67

-

the enemy in the Hawaiian, Marshall, andMidway Islands.Lieutenant Gayler was born in Birmingham,Ala., December 25, 1913, the son of Capt.E. R. Gayler (CEC), U. S. Navy, Retired,and Mrs. Gayler. He had his preparatoryeducation in the High School, Bremerton,Wash., and the West Point Preparatory Schoolat Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He entered theNaval Academy in 1931 on appointment a t large.After graduation in 1935 he had 3 yearsduty on the U. S. S. M a r y l a n d , during whichhe specialized in . antiaircraft gunnery. In1938 he was transferred to destroyers and servedas gunnery officer for 1 year each on the U. S. S.M a u r y and the U. S. S. Craven. In April1940 he reported to the Naval Air Station,Pensacola Fla., for flight training. He gradu-ated in November 1940 and was assigned toduty in a fighting squadron.In May 1942 Lieutenant Gayler was awardedthe. Navy Cross for action on February 20,1942, and the Gold Star, in lieu of'a NavyCross, for action on March 10, 1942, with thefollowing citations:

For distinguished service in the line ofhis profession, as division leader and as,pilot of a fighting squadron, when, on Feb-ruary 20, 1942, in enemy waters, during anattack directed at his carrier by nine twin-engined enemy bombers, he attacked themrepeatedly at close range and in the face ofcombined machine-gun and cannon fire,he shot down one enemy bomber andassisted in shooting down two others.On March 10, 1942, in a distant enemyarea, he intercepted and shot down anenemy seaplane fighter and later in the faceof heavy antiaircraft fire strafed and

" dropped fragmentation bombs on twoenemy destroyers causing many enemypersonnel casualties.

On September 10, 1942, he was presentedwith a second Gold Star in lieu of a Navy Crossfor action on May 7 and 8, 1942, as set forthin the citation:

For extraordinary heroism and out-standing devotion to duty as pilot: of a

.

Lieutenant Clarence Earle Dzckznson, Jr., U S N(above) i s the first U . S. Naval hero ever t o receive threeNavy Cross awards and another medal besides-theAir Medal. He i s second only t o Lieutenant NoelArthur Meredyth Gayler in establishing a three-Navy-Cross-award record.

fighter plane in action against enemyJapanese forces in the Coral Sea on May 7and May 8, 1942. Due to his skill andaggressiveness, his zeal and courage as anairman, and his utter disregard for his ownlife, Lieutenant Gayler succeeded in de -stroying .two enemy Japanese aircraft andin damaging two others, his courageousaction contributing materially to thedefense of our force.

Lieutenant Dickinson W A S born in Jackson-ville, Fla., December 1, 1912. He attendedGuilford College, North Carolina, before heentered the Naval Academy from the Sixth

Page three


5/67

rth Carolina in 1930. LieutenantDickinson was commissioned ensign from May31, 1934; lieutenant (jg) from May 31, 1937and lieutenant from July 1, 1941.After his graduation in 1934 he was assignedto duty in the U. S. S, Sun Fmncisco and in 1936was given flight orders as aircraft gunneryobserver with a scouting squadron. In Janu-ary 1938, he was transferred to the U. s. s.Phelps, destroyer, and had instruction in Ba ttleForce Torpedo School, He scrved in theU, S. S. Portland from July 27, 1940, untilAugust 31, 1940. From September 1940 untilJanuary 1941 he was under instruction at theNaval Air Station, Pensacoln, Fla., and wasdesignated navd aviator. From February1940 to April 1941 he continued training at theNaval Air Station, Miami, Fla. I n April 1941he reported at the Naval Air Station, Norfolk,Va., and later was assigned to duty with air-craft squadrons, United States Fleet.

Lieutenant Dickinson received the NavyCross and Gold Star for action on December 7 ,1941, and December 10, 1941, with the follow-ing citations :

For distinguished service in the line ofhis profession, extraordinary courage anddisregard of his ow n safety during theattack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor,Territory of Hawaii, by ?Japanese orces onDecember 7, 1941. Lieutenant Dickinson,while in command of a scouting planereturning to thc Island of Oahu from a

Political ActivityIllegalIt has recently come t o the attention of theBureau that a number of enlisted men in uni-form were taking an active part in a politicalparade in Providence, R. I., on September 6,1942.As such activity is. in direct violation ofSection nine of the Hatch Act it is requested

that this matter be given wide publicity in allcoinmands and that orders be issued prohibitingsuch action by enlisted men of the Navy.

scouting mission, was attacked by asuperior number of enemy aircraft. AI-though his gunner was killed, his plane onfire and out of control, he continued toengage the enemy until forced by fire toabandon the plane. He made his way tothe Naval Air Station, Pearl Harbor, re-ported to his commanding officer, immedi-ately manned another plane and departedon a.175-mile search flight. A t the timeof his departure on this second flight, hisearlier harrowing ordeal was not madeknown t o his superiors.

On December 10, 1941, upon beingdirected to search for and attack an enemysubmarine, he proceeded in a bombingplane, sighted and vigorously attacked asubmarine on the surface despite anti-aircraft fire directed at his plane from thesubmarine.

Lieutenant Dickinson received the Air Medalfor action on February 1,1942, with the citation:For meritorious conduct in aerial flightwhile in action against the enemy. As

flight officer of a scouting squadron hecommanded the third division in the initialattack on Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Is-lands, on February 1; 1942. This attackmade in the face of heavy antiaircraft fireand fighter opposition, resulted in directhits on ground installations and on a largeenemy ship. His leadership and the force-ful manner in which he executed his missionwere in keeping with the best traditions

of the naval service.He received the second Gold Star for action

For extraordinary heroism and distin-guished service as a pilot of VS-6 in theBattle of Midway on June 4-6 when heboldly pressed home devastating attacksagainst the Japaqese invasion fleet. Hiscourage and tenacity in the face of enemyfighter antiaircraft opposition contributedin a large degree to the decisive victory ofour forcesand were in keeping with thehighest tradition of the naval service.

on June 4-6, 1942, as follows:

WORDS ONCE SPOKEN CAN NEVER BE RECALLED


6/67

2,301 Dead, Missing EFigures Tell Story of Merchntmen Heroism

This war has already cost Americas Mer-chant Marine a total of 2,301 dead and missingas a result of war action. These casualties,composed of 410 known dead and 1,891 missing,were reported during the period from September27, 1941, to August 1, 1942.The total includes only those casualties result-ing directly from enemy action. Names ofpersonnel on United States merchant vesselswhich are overdue and presumed lost are con-sidered casualties of enemy action. The listdoes not include persons who were wounded, nor

ing from ordinary hazards of the sea. Neitherare names of American citizens sailing onforei


7/67

THE WAVES COME IN

- -O t l l c i r l I 5 U L V YhotorrauhHere are the first women Naval Officers in Amerzcan hzstory as they stood their j irs t inspectzon b y Rear AdmiralRan dall Jacobs, Chief o f the Bureau of Naual Personnel. Left t o right: Admiral Jacobs, Lt . Comdr. M . H . McAfee,L t. Ekcabeth Reynard, Lt .Jean T .Palmer, Lt . (jg) Virgin ia Carlin, Lt. 6g )M ar io n Enright, and Ens. D . H . Foster.Womens Reserve OrganizedTo Relieue Men for Sed Duty

Created t o relieve male personnel for duty atsea, the Womens Reserve of the U. S. NavalReserve has been launched, rigged, and commis-sioned with the first real feminine officers in theNavys history. (Members of the Navy NurseCorps hold rank corresponding t o that of officersunder legislation signed recently by the Presi-dent, but do not have full officer status.)Congress authorized the Womens ReservePage six

WH E N YOU BARK-HE MA Y BITE

on July 30, 1942, as Women Appointed forVolunteer Emergency Service, and they werepromptly dubbed WAVES. By law, thewomen accepted into the Reserve may servewithin the continental limits of the UnitedStates (but not outside) in the capacity of com-missioned officers and in enlisted status. Theact provides for 1 lieutenant commander andfor 35 lieutenants (senior grade), lieutenants


8/67

(junior grade) equal to 35 percent of all com-missioned officers, and for ensigns to make upthe complement. Initial plans call for 1,000commissioned officers and about 10,000 enlistedpersonnel, the first enlisted women in the Navysince World War 1sYeomanettes.Enlisted ratings will be given women in suchfields as radio, communications, telephone oper-ating, teletyping, general stenographic and cler-ical work, accounting, mechanics, and homeeconomics, and later in other fields as therequire-ments of the naval service require.

Officer and officer-candidate selection hasalready begun, as has recruiting of enlisted per-sonnel. With the exception of a small groupselected at the outset for assignment to admin-istrative duties in connection with the trainingprogram, all officer-candidates will undergoindoctrinal training before being commissionedand then will be sent directly t o duty or tospecial schools for technical instruction.At present about one-third of other candi-dates will be appointed in appropriate rankson a probationary status and given 1 monthsinstruction in Reserve Midshipmens School.Those who successfully complete this coursewill be commissioned t o perform technical dutiesand then assigned to active service or orderedto special schools for training that will qualifythem for technical billets. All other officer-candidates will be enlisted as apprentice seamenin Class V-9 for 1 months indoctrinal course;then as Reserve Midshipmen they will befurther trained as specialists and commissionedensigns in the Womens Reserve.Enlisted personnel begin as apprentice sea-men and go to a training station-four havealready been set up-to learn a specialty.They are then eligible fo r ratings and pay com-mensurate with their abilities, on the same payscale as that of enlisted men.Commanding officer of the Womens Reserveis Lt. Comdr. Mildred Helen McAfee, USNR,president of Wellesley College at the time ofher appointment as the first woman officer inthe Navy. Second to hold rank is Lt . ElizabethReynard, USNR, on leave from Barnard Col-

lege, Columbia University. She is assistantdirector in charge of training.

Officer-candidate schools have been set upat Smith and M t. Holyoke Colleges, and enlistedpersonnel schools have been instituted at Indi-ana University (storekeepers), University ofWisconsin (radio operators), and OklahomaAgricultural and Mechanical College (yeomen).An indoctrination school is to begin shortly a tthe University of Iowa, and as the programexpands other schools will be established.

No wife of a naval officer or enlisted manmay join the Womens Reserve, but sistersand daughters are eligible.

Officer candidates must be citizens of theUnited States, between 21 and 50 years of age attime of appointment, meet required standardsof physical and aptitude tests, have no childrenunder 18 years of age, be of good repute in thecommunity, and have either a baccalaureatedegree from an accredited university or collegeor 2 years of work toward such a degree withnot less than 2 years of professional or businessexperience in certain fields. All must have hadnot less than 2 years of mathematics in highschool or college.

The V-9 officer candidates must meet thesame requirements as the others, except thatthey must be not less than 20 years old andunder 30. Minors must have their parentsconsent.

Candidates for enlistment must be over 20and under 36 years of age, have no childrenunder 18, be of good repute in their community,meet physical qualifications of general goodhealth, be high-school graduates or business-school graduates with enough experience to beequivalent to a high-school education. Theminimum height standard is 5 feet and mini-mum weight is 95 pounds.

All personnel, if unmarried, must agree not t omarry until their training is completed.Applications of selection either as officercandidate or enlisted personnel must be made by

mail only to the nearest district naval officerprocurement office.

-Page seven

SPIES ARE HABITUALLY INQUISITIVE


9/67

Women in the NavvWd ves Are Third Groap

TWO ther womens units have preceded theWaves in the naval service-the Navy NurseCorps, which is still a vital par t of the Navy,and the Yeomanettes of the World War.The Navy Nurse Corps

The Navy Nurse Corps was established byCongress in 1908, but a t that time no provisionwas made for rank or rating comparable to theNavys male personnel. While they havenever held actual rank, the Navy nurses havesince been accorded privileges similar to those ofoffic ebs.

Under a congressional. enactment approvedby President Roosevelt on July 3, 1942, mem-bers of the Navy Nurse Corps were grantedrelative rank. This means tha t while they arenot actually commissioned officers, they holdrank corresponding t o that of officers in thenaval service.

Miss Sue S. Dauser is Superintendent of theNavy Nurse Corps and has rank relative to tha tof a llieutenant commander. She has servedin the Corps since 1937, and has been super-intendent since 1939.Yeomen (F )

During March 1917 as the United States wasreaching her final decision to enter the WorldWar, the Navys need for clerical assistan-, wasfar greater than had been anticipated. Shorestatic/ns, whose activities had been increased bythe ppeparation for war, were asking for assist-ance. Secretary of the Navy Josephus Danielsin describing the situation stated:There was no appropriation to pay civiliansfor the work that was immediately necessary.Every bureau and naval establishment appealedfor clerks and stenographers. How could they

I be secured at once? The Civil ServiceCom-mission could not furnish a tithe of the number

required, even if there had been the money topay them. Is there any law that says a yeoman must

be a man? I asked my legal advisers. Theanswer was that there was not, but that onlymen had heretofore been enlisted. The lawdid not say male. Then enroll women in the Naval Reserveas yeomen, I said, and we will have the bestclerical assistance the country can provide. This was done under provisions of the Act of

August 29, 1916, which established trhe NavalReserve Force t o be composed of six classes:~

First. The Fleet Naval Reserve.Second. The Naval Reserve.Third. The Naval Auxiliary Reservc.Fourth. The Naval Coast Defense Re-Fifth. The Volunteer Naval Reserve.Sixth. Naval Reserve Flying Corps.

serve.

The Naval Coast Defense Reserve was to becomposec! of: Members of the Xai-a1 ReserveForce who may be capable oi performing specialuseful service in the Navy or in connection withthe Navy in defense of the coast shall beeligible for membership in the Kava1 CoastDefense Reserre.The Navy Department sent the followingletter on March 19, 1917, to all Commandantsof Naval Districts on the Enrollment of Womenin the Naval Coast Defense Reserve: 1 . The following decision of the Kavy De-partment is quoted for your information:-May women be enrolled in the Km-d CoastDefense Reserve? After a careful reading ofthat part of the Act of August 29, 1916, whichcreated the Naval Reserve Force, of which theNaval Coast Defense Reserve is a class: nothingcan be found which would prohibit the enroll-ment in tha Naval Reserve Force and in theclass mentioned of women. On the contrfiry, it

Page e ight

PLAYING WfTH WORDS IS LIKE PLAYING WITH FIREI


10/67

is believed that their enrollment was contem-plated. You are informed, therefore, thatwomen may be enrolled in trhisclass of the NavalReserve Force.

2. The Bureau authorizes the enrollment ofwomen in the Naval Coast Defense Reserve inthe ratings of yeomen, electrician (radio) or insuch other ratings as the Commandant mayconsider essential to the district organizations.3 . In making monthly report of personnel, aseparate list shall bc submitted of women re-servists in the Naval Coast Defense Reserve.Immediately after the United States went towar against the Central Powers the enrollment

of women was taken up on a large scale in orderto release enlisted men for active service at sea.As a result a total of 11,275 Yeomen (F) werein service at the time thc armistice WRS signedand most of the immense volume of clericalwork at the Navy Depart.ment, in addition tomany highly important special duties, was beinghandled by them.

In addition to the purely clerical duties per-formed by the Yeoman (E), others served astranslators, draftsmen, fingerprint experts, cam-oilflage designers, and recruiting agents. FiveYeoman (F),enlisted in the Bureau of Medicineand Surgery, served with Navy hospital units

These are Yeomanettes, counterpart 23 years ago of todays WAVES. Th is picture was taken zn New Yorkia April 1919. Attention is respectfully directed t o the high-crowned straw hats, the m annish uniforms and the deter-mined expression on the face of the young woman about t o ease the &ball into the side pocket. Could the 8-ball haverepresented the Kaiser?

4~60?74-42--2

Page nine

BETTER BE SILENT THAN SORRY


11/67

in France. One served in connection with theoperations of t,he office of Naval Intelligence inPuerto Rico.

Yeomen (F) were stationed at Guam, thePanama Canal Zone, and Hawaii, in additionto the United States and France. About 300marinettes, as the feminine enlisted personnelof the Marine Corps was designated, were on.du ty during the war. Most of them were sta-tioned at Marine Corps Headquarters at the

-Navy Department, although a number per-formed valuable service in connection withMarine Corps recruiting.

All Yeomen (F) were released from active-duty by July 31, 1919, and t o them SecretaryDaniels sent the following message:It is with deep gratitude for thc splendidservice rendered by the Yeomen, (I?) during ournational emergency tha t I convey to them thesincere appreciation of the Navy Departmentfor their patriotic cooperation.As enrollments had been made for 4 years,the Yeomen (I?) were continued on the rolls ofthe Navy in inactive status and received theretainer pay of $12.00 B year until the expira-tion of enlistment, when they were dischargedfrom the naval service.A large number of women who had been onduty in the Navy Department a nd .a t navyyards and stations, were given temporary ap-pointments to same or similar positions underthe civilservice, but had to pass an examina-tion given by the Commission to qualify forpermanent appointment. The former Yeomen(F) who had received honorable dischargeswere included in provisions for military prefer-ence and allowed an increaseof 5 percent oncivil-service ratings. They were included inall subseqiient benefits affecting World WarVeterans.

Courageous MotherForegoes AidIn reply to the Bureaus notification thather son, a warrant officer, had been reported

Page ten

as missing as of May 6, 1942, due to the capitu-lation of Corregidor, she informed the l3ureauthat her son was in th o habit of sending her$5 0 a, month toward her support. Therefore,the Bureau forwarded an affidavit for themother to execute concerning her dependenceand the following is noted from her answer:I feel it is my duty as an Americanmother not to burden the Government byasking for aid, at this time. 1 am ableto get along all right unless unforeseen

circiimstanccs arise. Only hope to hearfrom Washington the whereabouts of myson.I am really proud of my sons courag-eous act, where he and the crew of thehas performed such good work.

Where on account thereof, he is due totwo Presidential citations as I was noti-fied from Washington. Thanking youfor your kind consideration, I remain --.

The Secretary of the Navy addressed a letterto her as follows:AIy dear Mrs. ---:

Pour letter of August 25, 1942, atldrcssedt o the Chief of Naval Personnel, is deeplyappreciated.The Navy Department is glad to hearthat you recognize your son, __- in thenewspaper photograph of those capturedat Corregidor. We share in your hopethat the day is not far distant when hewill return to his own country.It is noted that your son sent you $50a month when hc was in a position to do

so. Your decision to forego claimingdependency on him a t this time, and tocarry 03 as an American mother with-out financial aid, is very gratifying. Thefamilies of our fighting forces have a vitalpart in winning the war and their forbear-ance and fortitude are most inspiring.I commend you as the courageousmother of a brave son, and know tha t

such spirit will hasten the victrory that iscertain to be ours.

WH AT FIFTH COLUMNISTS DONT KNOW WONT HURT YOU

~. I


12/67

Greatest Man-o-warIowa Goes Down the Wdys

The U. S. S. Iowa, 45,000-ton battleship, thegreatest man-o-war ever to be launched, wentdown the ways a t the New York Navy Yard,Brooklyn, on Thursday, August 27th.Completed 7 months ahead of schedulethrough the united efforts of thousands ofengineers and workmen, the great vessel enteredthe waters of the Eas t River adjoining theyard.The U. S. S. Iowa, the fifty-ninth ship to belaunched at the New York Navy Yard, wasauthoiized by Act of Congress May 25, 1939,and is the first of six vessels of the same class tobe launched. The construction job was as-signed to the New York Xavy Yard on June 2,1939, and the keel was laid on June 27, 1940.The five sister ships of the Iowa are being builtat various yards throughout the country. Theyare the New Jersey, A!Fissouri, Wisconsin,Illinois, and Kentucky.Iowa Statistics.-Although most of the speci-fications of the U. S. S. Iowa are military secrets,some facts about the ship may be told.Her main battery will consist of 16-inch guns.Her length of 880 feet will be 200 feet shorterthan the largest ocean liner. As she wentdown the ways, she was the heaviest vessel everlaunchcd.Some Belieue-It-Or-Xots about the ship.-The plan-design work rrquired 429,000 man-

-

THE COVERThi s striking view

of the Iowa/ bowis an O@al U. .Navy Photograph,taken ju st before thelaunching.

days and the construction work 4,100,000 man-days, equivalent t o 1 draftsman arid 10 me-chanics working 6 days a week for 1,374 years.The amount of blueprint paper used for theissuing of plans was 17.5 tons, equal to a s tr ip30 inches wide and 1,100 miles long. The areaof all decks and platforms is 418,000 squarefeet, or about 9ji acres. Therc are 844 doors,161 hatches, and 852 manholes, a total of 1,857access openings in the ship. The total lengthof shafting used to drive the vessel is 1,074 feetor one-fifth of a mile. I n its construction thereare 4,209,000 feet or 800 miles of welding and1,135,000 driven rivets. The length of pipingthroughout the vessel would make one lengthof 80 miles, 17 miles of which is used for refrig-eration and cooling purposes. In connectionwith this piping, 14,140 valves are used. Theventilation systems include 16 miles of ducts.Fifteen miles of manila and wire rope arerequired for the vessel and its operation. Thetotal length of electric cable used is 250 miles,and the numerous conductors in some of thesecables if placed end to end would reach 1,700miles. The capacity of the electric generatorsets is 10,000 K. W.s or the equivalent tohandle the industrial and domestic load of a cityof about 20,000 population. The operation ofthc ship involves 900 motors, 5,300 lightingfixtures, 275 service and 816 battle telephones,The amount of paint required is 400,000 pounds,enough to covcr 7,200,000 square feet of surfacewith one coat or sufficient to paint a fence 5feet high and 273 miles long. On her trial tripthe Iowa will displace enough watcr to flood 46acres of land or 993 city lots one foot deep.The material for thc ship was supplied to theyard in various forms under contract by 34 States.

The U. S. S. I o w a is the fourth Navy ship tobe so called, her predecessors having been apost Civil War wooden screw sloop; a battle-ship which saw service in the Spanish-American

Page eleven

KEEP YOUR OWN COUNSEL


13/67

- 0 f f i r l r l u h \ L\, I I


14/67

Proud and Solemn HourA s Mighty Ship Slides Down t o Destiny

The fol lowing i s the text of the address qf RearA d m i r a l E. J.M a rq u a r t , U . S. N . , at the launch-ing of the U. S. S. Iowa:

Honored guests and fellow workers-welcometo you all.This is a proud and solemn hour in Americannaval history. The greatest fighting ship thathas ever challenged the foes of freedom waitsbu t for her name and her Godspeed before sheslides down the ways into the water to hermighty destiny.

Fourhundred and twenty-nine thousand man-dayswere needed just t o make design plans for thisship. In to her actual construction so far hasgone the enormous total of 4,100,000 man-days.A battleship, more than any other handiworkof man, is a masterpiece of teamwork by manymen of many diversified talents in many fieldsof activity. So today, we gaze at one of thesupreme triumphs of mans ingenuity and skill.Never before, in the long history of shipbuild-ing, has there been anything to compare withthis ship.To the thousands of shipworkers a t NewYork Navy Yard, this great floating fortresstowering above us is our special pride and joy.We have worked together to build it, strongand true. The daily life of our whole yardhas been unified about its building, and it hasbeen the common dedication of us all to a glo-rious goal. There has been high hope and in-spiration in every look we have given her asshe rose higher and higher during her construc-tion. She has been our symbol of the brainand power of our mighty fighting Fleet and hasmade every worker feel more and more a realpart of the Navy, with rivet hammers andtorches and machines as his fighting weapons.We stand humble before it, bu t we are proudand happy on this its christening day. Withyou guests, we, too, gaze in awe, in wonder-ment, in speechless amazement, at our handi-

Battleships are not built in a day.

work now bared in its entirety to see fo r thefirst time.The ship is not yet finished. Ahead liemore months of arduous labor before she willbe ready to put to sea. But as this splendid

man-of-war slides down the ways this morn-ing, every one of us will feel that she typifieso u r glorious country in her streamlined massire-ness, strength, and fighting power. And withher launching, our Nation thunderously an-nounces its own invincible power and dauntksswill to fight until victory is ours, to finish a w arwhich we did not star t, bu t which we will surelyend in the cause of peace and all that is right.

Another Naval Victory-Won by Workers

Another naval victory-a victory won by theworkers of America-was recorded Labor Day,September 7, 1942, when more than 15 0 navalships were launched or had their keels laid.Included in these 150 naval vessels are de-stroyers, submarine chasers, motor torpedoboats, mine sweepers, coastal transports, tanklanding craft, seaplane tenders, and others.The United States celebrated Labor Day thisyear with the central theme, Free Labor WillWin, and thousands of shipyard workers in75 municipalities of 27 States where theselaunchings and keel layings took place-on theAtlantic Coast, on the Pacific Coast, on theGulf Coast, and in the Great Lakes and inlandwaterways areas-joined in this vast celebra-tion marking actual achievement in the Navysshipbuilding program.Organized labor, shipyard employees, andmanagement representatives participated inthese ceremonies-an inspiration to all citizensand particularly to the more than 400,000workers in over 100 shipyards from coast tocoast who are keeping production of UnitedStates naval vessels ahead of schedule.

-

Pdge thirteen

TALK OVER BARS MAY LEAD TO TIME BEHIND BARS


15/67

1O4-Dav Continuous CruiseJ

Yorktown W ie lds Tremendous Blows Before Her EndThe U. S. S. York town was sunk on June 7,1942, as the result of enemy action during and

subsequent to the Battle of Midway. TheNavy Department, having good reason to be-lieve that the loss of the York town was notknown to the enemy, withheld this announce-ment pending developments which were vitalto the operations which have been in progressin the South Pacific since early August.The York town was put out of action by enemyaircraft attacks with bombs and torpedoes onthe afternoon of June 4, as described in NavyDepartment Communique No. 97, of July 14.She was seriously damaged and heavily listed asthe result of these attacks , and the crew wasforced to abandon ship in view of the imminentdanger of her capsizing. Tugs and other sal-vage vessels were sent to her assistance. Asalvage party was placed aboard and she wastaken in tow. Progress was slow, bu t itappeared that she might be saved.

By the morning of June 6 the salvage partyhad been able to reduce the list and the pros-pects of saving the ship appeared brighter. TheU. S. S. H a m m a n n (destroyer) was placedalongside to assist. Shortly after noon on June6, an enemy submarine scored two torpedohits amidships on the York town and two tor-pedo hits on the H a m m a n n alongside. TheH a m m a n n sank shortly thereafter, and thecondition of the Y o rk t o w n became critical. Theenemy submarine was attacked by destroyersthroughout the day. Results of these attacksindicated that the submarine was certainlydamaged and possibly sunk.

During the early morning of June 7, the Yorlc-town capsized and sank as the result of thecumulative damage from aircraft bombs andtorpedoes on the 4th, and submarine torpedoeson the 6th.Casualties in the York town were few and wereincluded in the total personnel losses in the

Off,c,al u b r\ 1 Plrotwr,,,h.Her guns stzll pointed defiantly toward the sky, the 19,90@-tonU . S . S . YORKTOWN lists heavily t o theport side ajter a savage battering by Japanese bombers and torpedo planes in the battle of Midway last June 4. Th eYORKTOWN was lost, as was the destroyer U. S . S. H AM MA NN ; but Japanese losses included four carriersand two heavy cruisers deJinitely sunk and numerous other vessels sunk or damaged. (See picture on opposite page, forinstance.) 1

Puge fburteen

WO RD S ARE LIKE RAZORS-THEY MA Y BE USED TO C U T Y O U R T H R O A T


16/67

Battle of Midway (9 2 officers and 215 enlistedmen) which have been previously reported.The York town and the H a m m a n n were theonly United States ships lost in the Battle ofMidway.

The sinking of the U. S. S. York town cameafter 10 4 days of a continuous battle cruiseduring which the York town roamed the Pacificbattle waters to take part in every major navalengagement unscathed until Midway exceptfo r one bomb hit in the Coral Sea action.But those 10 4 days saw the Yorktowns Dev-astator torpedo planes, Dauntless dive bombersand Wildcat fighters smashing at the enemywherever found a t sea or on land. The Gilbertand Marshall Islands, Salamaua and Lae,Tulagi, Coral Sea, and Midway were all enteredin her bat tle log. Japanese battleships weredamaged, carriers, cruisers, and destroyerssunk-one cruiser with one bomb from aDauntless-and transports, shore installations,and enemy planes shot down fo r a staggeringscore that will never be exactly known.

Page. ifteen

A SECRET IS A WE A P O N AND A FRIEND

-0fficid U. X. Navy Photoerwh.

Lt. Comdr. W. 0. Burch, who recently re -turned from the Pacific theater of operations,was assigned with his squadron, ScoutingSquadron Five, t o the York town immediatelyafter December 7, 1941. His account of hissquadrons actions is indicative of the Y o r k -towns role in the Pacific.Lieutenant CommanderBurchs story revealsdetails of the sinking of Japanese carriers,cruisers, and cargo ships. It tells of the sinkingof a Japanese cruiser by just one bomb fromone United States Navy dive bomber, pilotedby Ensign Herbert Stanton Brown, Jr., ofBombing Squadron Five.

Throughout his story the airplanes used byhis squadron were Douglas SBD Dauntlessscout bombers. The airplane used by EnsignBrown was also a Dauntless, and the torpedobombers accompanying Scouting SquadronFive were Douglas TBD-1 Devastators. Hisaccount follows : I was commanding officer of Scouting Fivefrom the time war was declared, on the York-


17/67

P

town. We picked up a convoy, went to theSouthwest Pacific with it, and then headedup into the Marshalls and made our first attack .In the raid on the Marshalls, we were as-signed to the southern group of islands. Thedivision I was with went t o Makin. We hada little bad weather but found it clear atMakin. There was a seaplane tender thereand two four-motored bombers sitting on thewater. We met quite a bit of antiaircraft fire bu tit was miles off. Our first attack was made onthe seaplane tender. It had planes aboard.We couldnt tell how many. Luckily I got ahit which made a mess of her deck. Wenoticed that the bomb gave off a tremendoushigh yellow flame. The bomb set the ship onfire. The other eight bombs were close misses.The ship took a list astern.

After that we turnedimmediately and jumpedthe four-motored bombers and sank them.I started to approach one and continuouslysprayed him. When I hit 1,000 feet it ex-ploded. The planes behind me exploded thesecond one.We made strafing attacks on the seaplanetender and stopped the antiaircraft fire fromit. We pretty well riddled it. That wasMakin.Next we went down to the Coral Sea andwent in t o attack Salamaua and Lae. Ourtorpedo bombers made successful level bomb-ing attacks. Our fighters (Grumman F4F-4s,Wildcats) shot down two Jap seaplanes andstrafed both surface ships and ground installa-tions. Our dive bombers sank cargo shipsand destroyers. All told, the operation com-pletely wiped the place out.

Our next attack was Tulagi, on May 4.We had been at sea for quite a long time,and it was good news when we heard we wereheading into an attack.

I wasfirst off with my squadron, and was told tomakea sweep to see if I could find anything comingdown from the north. We saw nothing. Justas I reached Tulagi, the other two squadrons,Bombing Five and Torpedo Five, arrived, AllI could see in the harbor was three cargo ships.

We made three attacks on Tulagi.

I divided my squadron into two divisions,designated a cargo ship to .each of them andtold Bombing Five t o take the third.That way, the torpedo squadron would knowwhich ships we were bombing and coordinatewith us. As I approached, I sawa large heavy cruiser off to the side, under acloud; tied up alongside of it was a light cruiserand a destroyer, I immediately changedcourse, hoping the squadron would follow me.They did. Most of us got in on that.The torpedo squadron, as they approached,could see much better than we could. Theyspread out, hoping we would take all the ships,which we did. All ships had a few bombsdropped on them. You could see the torpedoesand bombs hitting, and the nest of three shipswas knocked apart.

We went back to the ship to get more bombs.I told them we had hit the Japs but wanted togo back. They said go on back.By the time I got up t othe bridge, reported to the captain and told himId like to go back, he said all right, get in yourplane. I looked around and the planes weregassed, rearmed and ready to go. I didnt evenget a cup of coffee. That is how fast our figh tdeck crews on the Yorktown worked. Theywere excellent all the way through. Justoutside Tulagi Harbor a heavy cruiser was un-der way. We made an attack on her. We wentin against the cruiser alone and made two bombhits.As we returned to the ship I noticed somecargo ships in the harbor and requested per-mission to go back the third time. They sentBombing Five and Scouting Five hack, andleft the torpedo planes on board. I found onlyone ship. Wallie Short (Lt. Comdr. Wallace C.Short), who had Bombing Five, followed a slickdown to a seaplane tender about 46 miles tothe north. He bombed her and we bombedthis cargo ship in the harbor-a 20,000-ton transport. We hit it two or threetimes.Then followed the Battle of the Coral Sea.Early on May 7, one of our scouts reported t hat

We started down.

I was first aboard.

We returned with our second load.

Page sixteen

MEN OF FEW WORDS ARE THE BEST MEN


18/67

he had sighted two cruisers and two destroyers.We launched the air group. An Army planewas nearby and picked up another force whichdid have a carrier in it. While we were on theway out I got this last word from the Y o rk t o w nstating that, about 50 miles from our first posi-tion, we would find a carrier. I think we wouldhave seen it anyway. It was almost on ourtrack to the other force.

(The Lexington group made their dive bombattack just ahead of me. I watched them at-tack-I thought it was all of their bombinggroup. The Jap carrier was maneuveringheavily, and I only saw one hit. The carrierthen turned into the wind to launch her planes.I immediately called Joe Taylor (lieutenantcommander) who had our torpedo planes andtold him we were going in. He asked me towait because it would be at least 5 minutesbefore he could arrive on the scene. I told himI wasnt going to wait because the carrier waslaunching planes and I wasnt going to let themget off. I got a hit and I dont think any of thesquadrons behind me missed. We really laidthe bombs in that day.

The Japs had in that force a battleship, fourcruisers, and a light cruiser. Incidentally, thelast boy in Bombing Five, Ens. H. S. Brown,Jr., decided that the carrier was already beinghit hard enough and he was going to drop hisbomb somewhere else. He did-right on thequarterdeck of a cruiser. The cruiser sankbefore the carrier did. It took 5 minutes fromthe time I pushed over until the carrier was outof sight below the surface-she just ploughedherself under. She had about seven planes inthe air and was launching the rest of her fighters.It seemed best to stop that. Weheaded to the north about 180 miles and foundthe Japs okay. There were two carriers in theopen. Just south of the Japanese task forcewas a large area of bad weather. They wereheading for it. We coordinated our divebombing and borpedo attack on the aftercarrier. We readily identified her class. Wedefinitely know that we made six bomb hits onthat carrier and the torpedo planes made threetorpedo hits. Pictures we brought back show

On May 8 we made contact again.

486904-42-3

that from the bow back about 150 feet thecarrier was one big blaze from a white, gasolinefire. The pictures also show a bomb hittingright on the bow. If she was all right afterthat she was tougher than any other carrier Iveseen.During seven attacks by Bombing Five andScouting Five there was only one man lost fromantiaircraft. He was Jo Jo Powers (Lt. JohnJoseph Powers), who always went way downlow before pulling out. We dont knowwhether he was hit by antiaircrat or just wentdown so low to make sure of a hit that his planewas hit by his own bomb fragments. Before hetook off he said he was going to lay his bombon that Jap so-and-sos deck. Theyveawarded him the Medal of Honor. He de-serves it .Our SBDs (Dauntless) could really take it.There were a number of cases where planeswould come back with a lot of holes in them,wheels gone, wings shot up, but theyd still flyhome.Commander Burchs squadron was trans-ferred from the Y o rk t o w n after the Battle ofthe Coral Sea, but the York town was still tofight in another major action-ividway, thegreatest of them all.Off Midway on June 4 , the Yorktowns scoutslocated the enemy. Her air group went in toattack. Her dive bombers, operating withother air groups, scored hits on three Japcarriers: the K a g a , A k a g i , and Soryu. Allthrec were sunk.As soon as the Yorktowns planes could bercfueled they went hunting again. Her scoutslocated a fourth Jap carrier and reported herposition. Jus t then, Jap bombers and torpedoplanes launched the attack that was to be thebeginning of the end of the York town. But thelocation of that fourth Jap carrier, flashed backby the Yorktowns scouts, brought out thegroups from our other carriers. So even in herown plight, she must be credited with anassist. That fourth carrier went to thebottom to join her mates.Maen the waves closed over the Y o rk t o w n ,she ended one of the most brilliant careers innaval history.

.

Page seventeen

T H E N A V Y IS Y O U R WORK-DO IT A T T H E OFFICE


19/67

To September 21YES, Its aPigbtzng War!List No. 13, inclusive to September 21, 1942,

brings the to tal of Navy, Marine Corps, andCoast Guard casualties reported to next ofkin from December 7, 1941, to a grand totalof 14,466.

This list includes all States except Arizona,Delaware, Nevada, and Wyoming. The Ter-ritory of Hawaii and Puerto Rico are included.None is reported for other Territories orpossessions.

A recapitulation o these casualties follows:Dead Wounded MissingNavy 3,69 8 931 7,268Marine Corps 370 294 1,864Coast Guard 31 7 3

Total 4,099 1,232 9, 135-- -- -_ -

U G C b U ) VY W U I I U U U j


20/67

Coral Sea Heroes CitedMeddZs Go t o 23 for BattZe Action

Twenty-three officers and men who dis-tinguished themselves during the Coral Seaaction, including 19 who served on the U. S. S.L e x i n g t o n , which was sunk after inflicting heavydamage on the enemy, have been awardeddecorations for heroic conduct.The Distinguished Service Medal has beenconferred upon Rear Admiral Aubrey W. Fitch,U. S. N., and Rear AdmiralWilliam W. Smith, U. S. N .Rear Admiral Fitch was com-mander of a task force withwhich the L e x i n g t o n was oper-ating and Rear Admiral Smithcommanded a naval unit inthe Bat tle of the Coral Sea.The new Navy and MarineCorps Medal was awarded t otwo officers for their effortsto save L e x i n g t o n personnel.

These officers, attached to an-other ship, were Lt. Comdr.John C. Daniel,U.S.N., and Ens. Robert ArnoldSweatt, U. S. N . R. They are the first navalofficers to receive this medal, which was author-ized by Act of Congress approved August 7,1942.The citation accompanying the DistinguishedService Medal awarded Rear Admiral Fitchreads as follows:

For exceptionally meritorious and dis-tinguishedservice to the Government of theUnited States in a position of great re-sponsibility as Commander of the AirTask Group of a Task Force in the Battleof the Coral Sea on May 7 and 8, 1942.In the distinctive engagements of thisbattle, the skill and outstanding leadershipof Rear Admiral Fitch, and the courageousdevotion to duty of the units under hiscommand, resulted in the sinking of oneJapanese carrier, the serious damaging ofanother and the sinking of one enemy

~~~~\~~~~~~

cruiser, thereby contributing immeasur-ably to the ultimate success of our forcesin these notable engagements.

The citation fo r Rear Admiral Smith includedhis service not only in the Coral Sea from May4 to 8, 1942, but also in the Bat tle of Midway,June 4 to 6 , 1942.Praising his exceptionally meritorious anddistinguished service in those actions, thecitation states:His excellent judgment and the superiorquality of his leadership during the eventsleading up to and throughout the actual

engagements of these battles were evi-denced in the effective direction and con-trol of his units. Specifically, on May 8,1942, and on June 4, 1942, the aggressiveand determined action of Rear AdmiralSmith and the skill and devotion to duty oft8heunits under his command caused theinfliction of heavy damage on attackingJapanese air forces with ultimate successfor our forces in these distinctive engage-ments.

Five officers received Gold Stars in lieu oftheir second Navy Crosses-their first awardswere won in the Lex ing ton s engagements atBougainville, and at Lae and Salamaua. Theyare :

Lt. Comdr. James H. Brett, Jr., U. S. N. Hewas the commanding officer of a torpedosquadron.Lt. Comdr. Robert E. Dixon, U. S. N. Hewas commanding officer of a scouting squadron.Lt. (jg) Robert B. Buchan, U. S. N., a divebomber pilot.Lt. (jg) Harry B. Bass, U. S. N., a dive-bomber pilot.Lt. Walter F. Henry, U. S. N., a dive-bomberpilot.Lieutenant Commander Bretts citation statesthat despite heavy antiaircraft fire and enemy

Page nineteen

BE QUICK TO BE QUIET


21/67

fighter opposition,Lieutenant Commander Brettled his squadron to within extremely closerange of the objective and delivered two highlysuccessful attacks, destroying one enemy Japa-nese aircraft, carrier and causing the probabledestruction of another. His capable, determinedleadership and the skill and efficiency displayedby his squadron were decisive contributions tothe ultimate victory of our forces in this battle.With an enemy carrier as the objective,Lieutenant Comrnandcr Dixons citation reads,he led his squadron on a determincd dive-bombing attack in which Lieutenant Com-mander Dixon dived to a low altitude and, inthe face of heavy antiaircraft fire and enemyfighter opposition, dropped his bomb on thedeck of a carrier, thereby aiding in the totaldestruction of tha t vessel. The next day, May8, having sighted a vastly superior encmy Japa-nese air force, he remained on station to reportits movement and disposition to his squadron,then engaged in search operations. Thesescouting and bombing missions, so courageouslyundertaken and skillfully executed by Lieu-tenant Commander Dixon and the units of thesquadron under his command, were distinctivecontributions to the ultimate victory attainedby our forces.Citations awarded Lieutenant Henry andLiedtenants (jg) Bass and Buchan are identical.They read:

In the face of heavy antiaircraft fire andfierce fighter opposition, he dived his planeat an enemy Japanese aircraft carrier andreleased his bomb with calm and accuracy.By grim determination and expert appraisalof his objective, he contributed materiallyto the high percentage of hi ts inflicted byhis particular squadron and assisted inultimate destruction of the enemy carrier.His individual action was an importantfactor in the collective successes of thoseUnited Stat,es naval forces which engagedthe enemy in the Battle of the Coral Sea.The same citation was issued to eight dive-

bomber pilots who won the Navy Cross for thefirst time. They are:Lt. James H. Newell, U. S. N.; Lt. (jg)Page twenty

George 0. Wood, U. S. N.; Lt. (jg) John G .Sheridan, U. S. N.; Lt. (jg) Clem B. Connally,U. S. N . R.; Ens. Alva A .Simmons, U. S. N. R.; Ens.Frank R . McDonald, U. S. N.

NAVY CROSS

R. ; Ens. Russell P. Lecklider,U. S. N. R.; Ens. Robert P.William, U. S. N. R.Lt. Edwin W. Hurst, U. S.N., was awarded the Navy

Cross posthumously. Th eheroism of Lieutenant Hurst,who had won the Distin-

guished Flying Cross in the Battle of Lae andSalamaua, was cited as follows:

In the face of tremendous antiaircraftbarrage and opposed by numerous fighters,Lieutenant Hurst pressed home two attackson enemy aircraft carriers, one on May 7and one on May 8. With complete dis-regard for his own safety and expertconception of the task a t hand, he scoredhits within short range of his objectives,contributing to the destruction of onecarrier and to damage and possible destruc-tion of the other. His persistent determi-nation and conscientious devotion to dutyare in keeping with the highest traditionsof the United Sta tes naval service.

Later he lost his life in a plane crash.Melvin H. Georgius, Chief Aviation Pilot,U. S. N., who won the Distinguished FlyingCross at Lae and Salamaua, was awarded theNavy Cross with the following citation:

In the face of heavy antiaircraft fire andfierce fighter opposition, Georgius pressedhome an at tack against anenemy Japaneseaircraft carrier to within the perilouslyshort range of a few hundred yards of histarget . By complete disregard of his ownpersonal safety and resolute purpose incarrying out his mission, he was able toscore a hit on the enemy carrier, therebycontributing to the destruction of thatvessel and to the success of our forces in theBattle of the Coral Sea. His conduct onthis occasion was in keeping with the high-

IN THE CAFETERIA, LOOSEN YOUR BELT, NOT YOUR TONGUE


22/67

est traditions of the United States navalservice.

Lt. Frederick W. Hawes, U. S. N., won theNavy Cross for heroism as officer-in-charge offorward repair party No. 4 aboard the Lex ing -t o n . His citation reads:

In order to effect the rescue of woundedofficers and men, Lieutenant Hawes re-peatedly led his repair party into gas-filledcompartments in the face of frequent ex-plosions, and personally conducted rescuesquads through areas of imminent danger.Rallying from two lapses into unconscious-ness and with utter disregard for his ow nsafety, he was responsible for the rescueof at least 20 of the wounded. His courage-ous conduct and strict devotion to dutywere in keeping with the highest tradit,ionsof the United States naval service.

The Navy Cross also went to a messenger atthe forward distribution room, Robert L. Metts,Electricians Mate, 2d class, U. S. N., with thefollowing citation:

Remaining at his post after an explosionhad either killed or wounded nearly all ofthe men on his station, he donned a gasmask and attempted to report the casual-ties to the bridge by phone. With totaldisregard fo r personal safety, he continuedhis efforts to establish communication untilhe collapsed at his post and was subse-quently rescued in a state of unconscious-ness. His extreme courage and persistentdevotion to duty were in keeping with thehighest tradition of the United States navalservice.

Another who won the Navy Cross is Jack P.Brown, Chief Electricians Mate, U. S. N.,who was a switchboard operator in the forwarddistribution room. His citation reads:

Assisting in the evacuation of wounded,he disregarded a head injury sustained froman explosion and carried on in the face ofsubsequent danger of total asphyxiation.Obtaining a spare gas mask and returningto his post, he was successful in effecting

the removal of two of his wounded sliip-mates to safety. His courageous conductand strict devotion to d uty were in keepingwith the highest tradit ions of the UnitedStates naval service.

Ens. Harry B. Gibbs, U. S. N. R ., fighterpilot, was awarded the Distinguished FlyingCross with the following citation:

As a member of the combat air patrolprotecting our forces on the evening ofMay 7, Ensign Gibbs assisted in dispersingan enemy Japanese scouting formationharassing our surface forces, shooting downone enemy plane during the action. OnMay 8, as part of the fighter escort group,he protected our dive bombers in a success-ful attack on an enemy Japanese carrierwhich resulted in the sinking or severedamage of tha t vessel. His courage, skill,and complete disregard for his own personalsafety were in keeping with the highesttraditions of the United States navalservice.

Lieutenant Commander Daniel was in chargeof a whaleboat which attempted to rescue per-sonnel of the U. S. S. L e x i n g t o n , while EnsignSweatt was a member of the volunteer partywhich conducted the search under LieutenantCommander Daniels supervision. Their cita-tions, identical, read:

Uncertain, because of darkness, a s to thepresence of remaining survivors in thewater, he proceeded along the entire portside and then the starboard side of theL e x i n g t o n , already listing 20 to 30 degrees.Her flight deck was burning from stem tostern; an explosion had thrown planes anddebris into the air and other planes on deckwere in imminent danger of sliding ontothe whaleboat; nevertheless, he continueduntil dense smoke screened the ship andmade further search futile. His valianteffort to save the lives of L e x i n g t o n per-sonnel at the risk of his own life was inkeeping with the highest traditions of theUnited States naval service.

Page twenty-one

TAKE TIME TO BE CAREFUL


23/67

15 Receive DecorationsGiuen in N m e o the President

Fifteen officers who have distinguished them-selves for heroism in action, including fiveaviators and six submarine commanders, havebeen awarded decorations by the Secretary ofthe Navy, in the name of the President.

Lt. Comdr. Joseph H. Willingham, Jr.,U. S. N., received the Navy Cross and GoldStar fo r extraordinary heroism and outstand-ing skill and efficiency while serving as com-manding officer of a submarine.

Two other submarine commanders have beenawarded the Gold Star in lieu of a second NavyCross, with citations for extraordinary heroismand conspicuous devotion to duty. They are:Lt. Comdr. Willis A. Lent, U. S. N., and Lt.Comdr. Eugene B. McKinney, U. S. N.

Three submarine commanders who have dis-tinguished themselves by extraordinary heroismand conspicuous devotion to duty have receivedthe Navy Cross. They are: Lt. Comdr. JamesW. Coe, U. S. N .; Lt. Comdr. Oliver G. Kirk,U. S. N.; and Lt. Comdr. Robert H. Rice,U. S. N.

Lt. (jg) Arthur J. Brassfield, U. S. N., re-ceived the Navy Cross for extraordinary hero-ism and conspicuous devotion t o duty in a fight-ing sduadron which engaged the Japanese in theCoral Sea action. His citation reads:While on combat air patrol, Lieutenant

(jg) Brassfield on May 5 intercepted andattacked aggressively an enemy four-engine bomber and assisted in its destruc-tion; on May 7, as part of a fighter escort,he protected our scout bombers throughoutan attack which resulted in sinking aJapanese carrier. On May 8, accompaniedby other planes, he attacked boldly anddispersed a formation of enemy fighterswhich were harassing his own forces,, andin addition he attacked and destroyed anenemy dive bomber against strong enemyfighter protection. Lieutenant (jg) Brass-field, having repulsed the enemy force,

made a safe landing on his carrier, althoughhis plane was damaged. He displayedcomplete disregard for his own safety inthese engagements, as well as skill, aggres-siveness, and leadership, in order that hisassigned missions might be carried out.Lt. (jg) Walter A. Haas, U. S. N. R ., wasawarded the Navy Cross for extraordinaryheroism and courageous devotion to duty as

a pilot during the Coral Sea Battle. His cita-tion states that after assisting in destroying anenemy bomber, he carried his attack cn May 7as part of a fighter escort through heavy anti-aircraft fire over enemy ships and shot dowhtwo enemy fighters, assisting thereby in thesuccessful execution of a mission by our torpedoplanes, this mission resulting in the destructionof an enemy carrier. On May 8, after helpingto destroy a Japanese patrol boniber and onedive bomber, he displayed extraordinary daringin an attack on fifteen enemy aircraft, followingthe enemy bombers down in their dive, eveninto the area of antiaircraft fire from our ownships, thereby frustrating the success of theenemy attack. Lieutenant (jg) Haas displayedin these engagements aggressiveness, skill, anda high degree of courage, executing his missionswith complete disregard fo r his own safetyagainst heavy enemy odds.A third aviator to be decorated for valordisplayed in the Coral Sea Battle is Ens.

William W. Barnes, Jr., U. S.N. R., who was presented theDistinguished Flying Cross forextraordinary achievement aspilot in a fighting squadronengaged in combat with theJapanese forcesin the Coral Sea

DISTINGUISHED Battle, His citation statesthat as a result of fighter action

inwhichEnsignBarnes participated, scouting air-craft of the enemy were dispersed. His deter-mination and zeal during this engagement, the

FLYING CROSS

Page tewnty- two

MILITARY ORATORY SOUNDS BEST IN SOLITUDE


24/67

citation reads, carried him into the area of ourown antiaircraft fire. In spite of damage to hisplane by enemy action, he displayed greatcourage and skill in returning to the ship andlanding safely.

The Distinguished Flying Cross was awardedto Ens. Richard L. Wright, U. S. N. R., foroutstanding performance in the Coral Seaengagement. Ensign Wrights citation statesthat, by perfect timing in coordination withhis section leader, he attacked an enemypatrol bomber, effecting the complete destruc-tion of the Japanese plane in midair.

Lt. Comdr. Lewis E. Coley, V. S. N., receivedthe Navy Cross with the following citation:For extraordinary heroism and distin-guished service in the line of his profession

while engaged in the Java Sea, February27, 1942, in a torpedo attack on superiorJapanese forces. Torpedo hits were scoredon Japanese cruisers in the face of heavygunfire from the enemy, marking a cou-rageous and determined handling of hisship. Lieutenant Commander Coleysaggressive spiri t and high type of leadershipin action are in accord with the best tradi-tions of the United States naval service.

The Navy Cross was awarded to CommanderWilliam W. Hastings, U. S. N., who was incharge of the section base area in MarivalesHarbor, Bataan, P. I.For heroic and meritorious devotion to

duty during demolition and evacuationoperations a t Marivales Harbor, the nightof April 8, 1942. Commander Hastingsefficient organization and direction of amixed force of American and Filipinoenlisted men in evacuating personnel andsupplies to Corregidor, and in the demo-lition of living quarters and utilities, andthe demolition of the U. S. S. Bitternand the Dry Dock Dewey, n accordancewith a well conceived and executed plan,made this difficult operation possible inspite of darkness, demolition explosions,and reports of approaching Japanese.The citation accompanying the Navy Crossawarded to Lt. Comdr. Clarence W. McClusky,

Jr., U. S. N., reads as follows:

His citation reads:

For extraordinary heroism and devotionto duty in the Battle of Midway, June 4,1942. On receipt of the report of anenemy Japanese invasion fleet in the area,Lieutenant Commander McClusky led hissquadron of planes in a dogged and thor-ough search, continued until the objectivewas located, and attacked with boldnessand determination four enjmy carriers incomplete disregard of heavy antiaircraftfire and strong fighter opposition. Suchsevere damage was inflicted on the flightdecks of the Japanese carriers that theywere effectively put out of action. Lieu-tenant Commander McCluskys courageand inspiring leadership in the face ofgreat danger and very large oppositionwere in keeping with the finest traditionsof the United States naval service.Commander Walter G. Schindler, U. S. N.,was awarded the Navy Cross with the followingcitation :For courageous devotion to duty andextraordinary heroism during action be-tween May 4 and May 8 against forces ofthe Japanese. In order to advise hisseniors more accurately and intelligently,Commander Schindler volunteered as freegunner in an airplane in three attacksagainst Japanese forces at Tulagi, May 4,although opposed with heavy antiaircraftfire, and in two attacks on May 7 and 8 inthe Coral Sea area, in the face of enemyfighters as well. He shot down a Zerotype Japanese fighter which attacked theplane in which he was serving as freegunner on May 8. His conspicuous in-trepidity was above and beyond the callon duty on these occasions.Boatswain Adolph M. Bothne, U. S. N.,

was awarded the new Navy and Marine CorpsMedal. His citation reads:For extraordinary heroism and courageon February 7, 1942, when he entered acompartment where four men had col-

lapsed from suffocation. Because he dis-regarded completely his own safety, hewas able to save one man before he himselfwas overcome.

Page twenty- three

TALK IS CHEAP-WHEN ITS N O T AN EXPENSIVE LIABILITY


25/67

A new medal, the Navy and Marine Corpsmedal for heroism not involving actual conflictwith an enemy, or tjo any person to whom theSecretary of the Navy has heretofore awardeda letter of commendation fo r heroism, hasbeen established by Congress, as has the dis-tinction between the various medals now beingawarded. Public Law 702, Seventy-seventhCongress is as follows:

Be it enacted b y [he Senate a nd H ouse of Representatauesof the United States oj Ame rica i n Congress assembled,Thai the Act approved February 4, 1919 (40 Stat. 1056),entit led An Act t o provide for the award of medalsof honor, distinguished-servicemedals, and Navy crosses. and forother purposes, is hereby amendedto read a s follows:That the President of theUnited States be, and he is hereby,authorized to present, in the nameof Congress, a medal of honor t oany person who, while in t he navalservice of th e United States , shall,in action involving actual conflictwith th e enemy, or in th e line of hisprofession, distinguish himself conspicuously by gal-lantry and intrepidity at th e risk of his life above an dbeyond th e call of duty and without detriment to themission of his command or to th e command to whichattached: Provided, Th at the design of thif medal shallbe the same as th at adopted pursuant t o the Act ap-proved December 21. 1561 (12 Stat. 330).SEC.2. That the President be, and he hereby is,further authorized to present, but not in the name ofCongress, a Navy cross o appropriate design andribbon, together with a rosette or other device to beworn in lieu thereof, t o any person who. while serving inan y capacity with the naval service of the United States,distinguishes himself by extraordinary heroism in con-nection with military operations ao;ainst an armedenemy.SEC. . That the President be, and he hereby is,furthcr authorized to present, but not in the name ofCongress, a distinguished-service medal of appropriatedesign and a ribbon, together with a rosette or otherdevice to be worn in lieu thereof, to any person who,while serving in any capacity with the Navy of th eUnited States , since th e sixth day of April 1917 hasdistinguished, or who hereafter shall distinguish, himselfby exceptionally meritorious service t o the Governmentin a duty of grea t responsibility.SEC 4. That the President be, and he hereby is,further authorized to present, but not in the name ofCongress, a silver sta r medal of appropriate design anda ribbon, together with a rosette or other device to beworn in lieu thereof, to any person who, while servingin an y capacity with the Navy of the United States,since December 6, 1941, has distinguished himself orwho hereafter shall distinguish himself conspicuously bygallantry and intrepid ity in action, such gallantry and

MEDALOF HONOR

medal of honor 0; a Navy cross.SEC. 5 . That the President be, and he hereby is,further authorized to present, but no t in t he name ofCongress, a medal to be known as the Navy an d MarineCorps Medal, of appropriate design.witf i accolnpanying ribbon, to-gether with a ro-ettc or other de-\ i re to l~ worn in lieu thereof, to.any person who while serving inAlthozlgh the de- any capacity with the TJnitedsign of the new States Navy or Marine Corps,N ~ ~ ,nd ~~~i~~ including the Naval Reserve orMarine Corps Reserve, shall have,corps has since December 6, 1941, distin-not yet been corn- guished himself or herself by hero-pleted, the ribbon ism not involving actual conflictis as fo l lows: Olze with a n enemy, or to a ny person towhom the Secretary of the Navyand three-ei8hths has heretofore awarded a letter ofinches wide. tri- commendation for heroism, regard-parted left toright, less of the da te of such actof hero-N~~~ ~ l ~ ~ ,ld ism, who make3 application for suchmedal. No additional pay shall belsavable under section 6 for servicend reGdered prior to the date of theenactmen t of this section by v irtue of t he award of aNavy and Marine Corps medal based upon any act ofheroism performed prior to December 7, 1941.SEC. . Th at each enlisted or enrolled person of thenaval service to whom is awarded a medal of honor,Navy cross, distinguished-service medal, silver starmedal, or a Navy and Marine Corps Medal shall, foreach such award, be entitled to additional pay at therat e of $2 per month from the dat e of th e distinguishedact or service on which th e award is based, and each bar ,or other suitable emblem or insignia, in lieu of a medalof honor, Navy cross, distinguished-service medal,silver star medal, or a Navy and Marine Corps Medal,as hereby provided for, shall entitle him t o further addi-tional pay at the rate of $2 per month from the date ofthe distinguished act or service for which the bar isawarded, and such additional pay shall continuethroughout his active service, whether such serviceshall or shall not be continuous.SEC. . Tha t no more than one medal of honor, orone Navy cross, or one distinguished-service medal, orone silver s tar medal or one Navy and Marine CorpsMedal shall be issued to any one person; bu t for eachsucceeding deed or service sufficient to justify theawarding of a medal of honor, or Navy cross, or adistinguished-service medal, silver star medal, or aNavy and Marine Corps Medal, respectively, the Presi-dent may award a suitable bar, or other suitableemblem or insignia, to be worn with t he decoration anda corresponding roset te or other device.

SEC. 8. The Secretary of the Navy is hereby au-thorized to expend from the appropriation Pay, sub-sistence, and transportation of naval personnel of th eNavy Department so much as may be necessary todefray the cost of the medals of honor, Navy crosses,distinguished-service medals, silver star medals, andNavy and Marine Corps Medals. and bars, emblems, orinsignia herein provided for, and so much as may benecessary to replace any medals, crosses, bars, emblems,

Page twenty-four

BEWARE OF INQUISITIVE FRIENDS


26/67

or insignia as are herein or may hereafter have beenprovided for: Provided, That such replacement shallbe made only in those cases where th e medal of honor,Navy cross, distinguished-service medal, silver starmedal, or a Navy and Marine Corps Medal, or bar,emblem, or insignia presented under the provisions ofthis or any other Act shall have been lost, destroyed, orrendered unfit for use without fault or neglect on thepar t of t he person to whom i t was awarded and shal lbe made without charge therefor.SEC. . That, except as otherwise prescribed herein,no medal of honor, Navy cross, distinguished-servicemedal, silver star medal, Navy and Marine CorpsMedal, or bar or other suitable emblem or insignia inlieu of ei ther of said medals or of said cross, shall beissued to any person after more th an five years from th eda te of the act or service justifying the awardingthereof, nor unless a specific statement or report dis-tinctly setting forth the act or distinguished serviceand suggesting or recommending official recognitionthereof shall have been made by his superior throughofficial channels at the time of ac t or service or withinthree years thereafter.SEC.10. That in case an individual who shall dis-tinguish himself dies before the making of the award t owhich he may be entitled, the award may neverthelessbe made and th e medal or cross or bar or other emblemor insignia presented within five years from the date ofth e a c t or service justifying the award thereof to suchrepresentative of deceased as th e President may desig-nate: Provided, That no medal or cross or no bar orother emblem or insignia shall be awarded or presentedto any individual, or to th e representative of any indi-vidual, whose entire service subsequent to the time hedistinguished himself shall no t have been honorable:Provided further, Tha t in cases of persons iiow in thenaval service for whom th e award of t he medal of honor,distinguished-service medal, or Navy cross, has beenrecommended in full compliance with then existingregulations, but on account of services which, thoughinsufficient fully to justify the award of the medal ofhonor, the distinguished-service medal, or the Navycross, appears to have been such a s to justify the awardof the silver star medal, or the Navy and Marine CorpsMedal hereinbefore provided, such cases may be con-sidered and acted upon under the provisions of this A ctauthor izing the award of t he silver sta r medal or theNavy and Marine Corps Medal, notwithstanding thatsaid services may have been rendered more t han five yearsbefore said cases shall have been considered as author-ized by this proviso, but all consideration or any actionupon any of said cases shall be based exclusively uponofficial records now on file in the Navy Department.SEC.11. That the President be, and he hereby is,authorized to delegate, under such conditions, regula-tions, and limitations as he shall prescribe, t o flag officerswho are commanders in chief or commanding on impor-tant independent duty the power conferred upon himby this Act to award the Navy cross, the distinguished-service medal, silver star medal, and the Navy andMarine Corps Medal; and he is further authorized tomake from time to time any and all rules, regulations,and orders which he shall deem necessarv to carry intoeffect the provisions of this Act and to execute full pur-pose and intention thereof.

SEC.2. That section 1407 of the Revised Statutes(Act of May 17, 1864, ch. 89, sec. 3, 13 Stat. 79, 80);the Act of May 4, 1898, numbered 30 (30 Stat. 741), andth e Act of March 3, 1901, chapter 850 (31 Stat. 1099),SEC.3. The Act of March 3, 1915 (38 Stat. 931), ishereby amended by striking therefrom the following:The President of t he United States is hereby em-powered to prenare a suitable medal of honor to be

. are hereby repealed.

awarded to any officer of th e Navy, Marine Corps, orCoast Guard who shall have distinguished himself inbattle or displayed extraordinary heroism in the line ofhis profession.Approved, August 7, 1942.

Lieutenant GetsFlying CrossLt . John Joseph Hyland, U. S. N., hasreceived the Distinguished Flying Cross from

Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox or hisflying achievements while in command of aPBY airplane between December 30, 1941,and March 3, 1942. His citation reads:For extraordinary flying achievement incommand of a PBY type airplane, Decem-ber 20, 1941, t o March 3, 1942. During

that time Lieutenant Hyland participatedin the bombing attack on enemy JapaneseNaval forces at Jolo Harbor, P. I.;he alsosuccessfully landed his PBY airplane inrough seas to effect the rescue of the onesurviving crew member of a R A A FHudson airplane which had crashed in theMoluklm Sea on January 1,1942. Further-more, on numerous reconnaissance flightsin the Netherlands East Indies, he dis-played outstanding courage and devotionto duty by continuous hazardous flyingachievement in the face of heavy enemyopposition.

Two Marines WinNew AwardThe new Navy and Marine Corps Medal for

heroism has bcen presented to Sergt. NormanC. S. Pearson, U. S. hl. C. and Corp. GordonMiller, U. S. M . C., both now on special tem-porary aviation duty in the San Francisco area.It is the first presentation of the award toMarine Corps personnel.Sergeant Pearson, then a Corporal, andCorporal Miller, then a private, first class, werepresent when a Marine Corps airplane crashedand burned near Santee, Calif., April 30, 1942.Showing utter disregard for their own lives,the Marines rushed in and removed thegunner.

Page twenty9ve

SOME SYLLABLES ARE SWORDS486904-42--4


27/67

Reserve Medal Available10 Yemf Honordble Service Reqaired

A

The Secretary of the Navy has approved therecommendation of the 1942 Naval ReservePolicy Board that the Naval Reserve Medal be

NAVAL RESERVEMEDALRibbon colors ofthe Naval ReserveMedal are: blue,outside; red, center,separated by a nar-row band of gold.1

awarded to any officer or en-listed man of the NavalReserve who completesor hascompleted 10 years of servicein Ithe Naval Reserve in ac-tive-duty or inactive-dutysta tus; and, furthermore,thatfor each additional 10 yearsof honorable service, a starmay be worn on the ribbon.

Full information as it willappear in the Bureau ofNaval Personnel Manual isas follows:(1) The Naval ReserveMedal may be awarded bythe Chief of Naval Person-nel to any officer or enlistedman of the Naval Reservswho completes, or has com-pleted, 10 years honorableservihe in the Naval Reserve, Naval ReserveForce, Nat ional Naval Volunteers , or federallyrecognized N a v a l Mi l i t i a in an active-duty orinactive-duty status; and for each additional 10years of such honorable service, a bronze starmay be worn on the ribbon.(2) In time of war or national emergency,members of the Naval Reserve shall not be-

come eligible for award of a Naval ReserveMedal until they report fo r active duty.(3) Application for the Medal shall b? sub-mitted via the applicants commanding officer.Th: application, in letter form, must sta te theperiod or periods of service upon which theapplication for the Medal and the authority towear the bronze star (if entitled) is based. TheCommanding Officer shall state in his fonvard-ing endorsement whether or not the applicantsservice has been honorablj in his present assign-ment.Page twenty-six

(4) Present holders of the Naval ReserveMedal are authorized to wear bronze stars, towhich entitled, .without specific authorization.Applications for the medal should be ad-dressed to the Chief of the Bureau of NavalPersonnel.

COMMENDATIONSFor Oatstanding Service

Letters of commendation have been awardedby Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox to 24enlisted men for outstanding service, 20 of thegroup being members of Motor Torpedo BoatSquadron Three which operated in the Philip-pine War Zone under the command of Lt.(now Lt. Comdr.) John D. Bulkeley, U. S. N.Glen Frederick Slipsager, pharmacists matefirst class, U. S. N ., was commended for heroismin saving the lives of two soldiers during abombing attack on Fort Hughes, in ManilaBay, on April 10, 1942.

While it was operating in the Philippines,Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three sanka number of vessels, damaged others, shot downseveral planes, and carried General DouglasMacArthur and Manuel Quezon, President ofthe Philippine Commonwealth, together withmembers of the families and staffs, out of theislands.The remaining members of the squadron whowere commended, and who previously had beendecorated by the Army, are: Richard ArthurRegan, CMM, U. S. N.; Morris William Han-cock, CMM, U. S. N.; Carl Clay Richardson,CMM, U. S. N.; Dale Guyot, CMM, U. S. N .;Volt Franklin Hunter, CMM, U. S. N. ;EllwoodHyrum Offret, CMM, U. S. N.; DeWitt LeslieGlover, CQM, U. S. N.; John Martino, CTM,U. S. N.; John Xavier Balog, CPhM, U. S. N .;David Goodman, RMlC, U. S. N.; AlbertParker ROSS,QMlC, U. S. N.; John Lawless,MMlC, U. S. N.; George Walter Shepard, Jr.

D E M A N D IDENTIFICATION FR.OM STRANGERS


28/67

MMlC, U. S. N .; Stewart Willever, Jr.,RMBC, U. S. N .; David Woodsm Harris,TM2C, U. S. N.; Willard Jay Reynolds, CCS,U. S. N.; Floyd Rego Giaccani, Bkr2C, U. S. N .;and Benjamin Licodo, OS3C, U. S. N.Three others were commended for rescuingservice men from drowning.They are: Melvin Randall Chambers, SlC,U. S. N.; Madison Neal Whitten, S2C, U. S. N.;and Cody Boone Weaver, PhM2C, U. S. N.

Armed Guardsmen NotedEighteen enlisted men have been awardedletters of commendation by the Navy formeritorious conduct on the occasion of the tor-pedoing of their ships. These men were actingas members of armed guard crews and (acquit-ted themselves in keeping with the highest

standards of the naval service, their com-mendations set forth.CodellFowler, S ~ C ,. S. N . R.; Wyatt Bernard Fulks,S ~ C , . S. N . R.; John Thor Hagen, AS,U. S. N. R.; Lawrence Francis Hall, Jr., S ~ C ,U. S. N . R.; Charles Henry Harkness, S ~ C ,U. S. N. R. ;Willard Thurston Harrell, S ~ C ,. S.N. R. ;Robert Craven Huggins, S ~ C ,. S. N. R.;Ray Clark Montgomery, S ~ C ,. S. N . R.; Con-nie Maxwell Neal, S ~ C ,. s.N. R .; John KermitOsborne, S ~ C , . S. N . R . ; Graves Edwin

Owings, S ~ C , . S. N. R . ; Anthony JosephPaplauskas, S ~ C ,. S. N. R.; Thomas FredPayne, S ~ C , . S. N. R.; Lowell Radney,S ~ C ,. S. N . R.; Charles Edgar Sherbno, Cox.,U. S. N. R.: Tommie Benjamin Smith, S ~ C ,. S.N. R.; William Chester Taylor, Cox., U. S. N.;Virgil William Waddell, S ~ C ,. S. N.

Those who received the letters are:

to ensign for swimming through enemy machinegun and artillery fire t o help scuttle the U. S. S.Qu a y b when the fall of Corregidor becameimminent.

Ensign Taylors commendation came as areward for his heroism in entering the ammuni-tion depot at Cavite, P. I. , which had been setafire by Japanese bombers, and removing largequantit ies of antiaircraft amniunition.

Identical commendations went to seven en-listed men serving in a merchant vessel as mem-bers of an armed guard crew. An enemy planeattacked their ship, but after the armed guardcrews machine gun fire twice had riddled thefuselage of his plane the pilot turned and fled.

Those who were commended are : GordonPhilip Dentingpr, SMlc, U. S. N. R.; RexElliott, SMlc, U. S. N.; Arthur J. Downen,SMlc, U. S. N . R.; Jack Neal Dalton, Shl2c,U. S. N.; Raymond William Doran, SM2c,U. S. N .; Darrel Clayton Edmondson, S lc ;Xanuel Alvin Edwards, Slc.Selba Lee Dubose, Ghf3c, U. S.N. R., wascommended or heroic conduct on the occasionof the torpedoing of a vessel on which he wasserving as a membcr of the armed guard crew.

For Exemplary ConductSeven first class seamen and a coxswain have

been commended by the Navy for exemplaryconduct in action against the enemy. Theircommendations came as a reward fo r shootingdown three enemy bombers while serving asmembers of the armed guard crew of a vesselwhich had numerous encounters with enemyairplanes and ships.They were commended for conduct exem-plifying the highest traditions of ithe navalservice.The men are Paul Koenig Harkey, Slc ,U. S. N . R. ;John Lanier Haynes, Slc, U. S. N.;Cole Junior Jones, Slc , U. S. N . R . ; Ben JosephKelly, Slc , U. S. N. R. ; Robert Sidney La the r,Slc, U. S. N.; Timothy Francis McGrath, Slc,U. S. N . R. ; Rudolph Manor, Slc, U. S. N.; andFrancis Marion Shipley, Jr., cox., U. S. N.

BuPers Commends 8Commendations have been issued by the

Bureau of Naval Personnel to one officer andeight enlisted men who distinguished themselvesin various theaters of the war.One of the recipients of the commendations isEns. Donald C. Taylor, U. S.N., who previouslywon the Navy Cross and promotion from gunnerPage twenty-seven

THERES MA NY A SLIP TW IXT THE EAR A N D THE LIP


29/67

I PROMOTIONS Ifor Mcritorioils Conduct

The Navy has advanced in rating 14 en-listed men for meritorious conduct in sub-marine duty-varying from resourcefulness inmaking oars out of ammunition packing boxesduring a rescue operation to courage in swim-ming through shark-infested waters to aidmen in distress.

Six of the group participated in the evacua-tion by submarine of a number of Royal Aus-tralian Air Force aviators who were strandedon Timor in the Netherlands East Indies whenthe Japanese occupied that island. Two officersof the submarine, Lt. Hiram Caesedy, U. S. N.,and Ens. George Carlton Cook, U. S. N. R.,received the Navy Cross for their part in therescue, as announced by the Navy Depart-ment June 22.Leonard Bellmont Markeson, was advancedfrom quartermaster, first class, to chief quarter-master and was commended by the Secretaryof the Navy.John Robert Bair was advanced frommachinists mate, second class, to machinistsmate, first class.Jackson Dupingay, who participated in thesame rescue of Australian aviators, was ad-vanced from officers steward, second class, toofficers steward, first class, for showing muchskill in the care of wounded and injured air-men.

John William Lancaster, was advanced frommachinists mate, second class, to machinistsmate, first class, for great resourcefulness andskill in the manufacture of oars and paddles forthe ships boat from ammunition packingboxes, during the rescue of the Australianaviators.Joseph Leo McGrievy was raised from signal-man, first class, to chief signalman, with acommendation similar to that of Markeson.William Randolph Miles, was advanced fromtorpedoman, second class, to torpedoman, firstclass, for courage, resourcefulness, and good

seamanship in rigging out and securing theships boat under the most hazardous condi-tion.Eight others received meritorious advance-ments in connection with other submarine

activities.Claude Iziah Beck, Jr . was advanced fromtorpedoman, first class, to chief torpedoman fo rmeritorious conduct.

Radioman First Class William Alphee Daigle,has been promoted from radioman, first class, tochief radioman for his untiring efforts, per-severance, and resourcefulness in making re-pairs to the equipment of which he was incharge, and in keeping this equipment inoperation under difficult conditions.

Caryl Fay Truby, has been advanced fromgunners mate, second class, to gunners mate,first class.Walter Young, has been promoted frommachinists mate, first class, to chief ma-chinists mate for his special ability as a

machine tool operator and his untiring effortsin making repairs to auxiliary machinery.William Horace Beck, has been raised tochief torpedoman from torpedoman, first class.Curtis Eugene McWaters, has been advancedto chief gunners mate from gunners mate,first class. His citation states tha t as gunnersmate, he kept the weapons in an efficient stateof readiness.Wayne Ewing Phillips, has been advancedfrom machinists mate, first class, t o chiefmachinists mate, with the following com-

mendation :By his untiring efforts and perseverance,he kept the engines operating under mostdifficult conditions during contact with theenemy.

Albert Edward Ragos, has been promoted tomachinists mate, first class, from second classin recognition of his untiring efforts, perse-verance, and resourcefulness in making repairsand in keeping the engines and machineryoperating under adverse conditions in contactwith the enemy on patrol.

Page twenty-eight

TO MEN ONLY-DONT TELL HER


30/67

Rate Advanced for 6Promotions have been awarded to six en-listed men for meritorious conduct and efficientperformance of duty. Five of the awards werefor service during the attack on Pearl Harbor,December 7 , 1941.The men are:Clarence Harold Hansen, advanced fromyeoman first class, U. S. N., to chief yeoman.Ponciano Bernardino, advanced from elec-tricians mate second class, U. S. N., to elec-tricians mate first class.Andrew Dury, promoted from electriciansmate first class, U. S. N., to chief electriciansmate.Mordeau Edward Blows, advanced fromaviation machinists mate first class, U. S. N.,t o chief aviation machinists mate.Rene Belonie Cadorette, advanced from

aviation machinists mate second class,U. S. N.,to chief aviation machinists mate.James Nelson Gibson, advanced from aviationmachinists mate third class, U. S. N. R., toaviation machinists mate second class.4 Others Moved Up

Joseph Vincent Garbrous, U. S. N., was ad-vanced from machinists mate, first class, tochief machinists mate for exceptional willing-ness, ingenuity, and perseverance at all hoursand under adverse circumstances. In actionwith the enemy and under stress he has dis-played unusual calmness, skill, and foresight.Russell Claude Rawls, U. S. N., was ad-vanced from gunners mate, third class, togunners mate, second class. He demonstratedexceptional ability as a night lookout in addi-tion to a most satisfactory performance of theduties of his rating. On a night watch hewas the first to sight enemy ships in extremedarkness.Charles Hugh Walker, U. S. N., was ad-vanced from pharmacists mate, first class, tochief pharmacists mate. His minute attentionto the health and well-being of all on board his

ship has contributed greatly to the maintenanceof morale and the generally excellent state oftheir health. By his demonstrated ability,calmness in action, willingness, and cheerful at-titude under the most trying conditions, he hasgained the confidence of all hands.Irvin Cope Wiest, U. S. N., was advancedfrom torpedoman, first class, to chief torpedo

Documents

All Hands Naval Bulletin - Oct 1942