Honors: Silver Star
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The Silver Star is
awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States. It
may be awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the
U.S. Armed Forces, distinguishes him or herself by extraordinary heroism
involving one of the following actions: in action against an enemy of the
United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with
an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces
engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the
United States is not a belligerent party. The Silver Star need not be earned
while in a position of great responsibility. |
Silver Star Gallery (Use
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28 April 1945: Clifford Leroy Baldwin, Sonarman Second Class, USNR, USS Daly (DD-519) 6 April, 1945: J.M. Cross, Fire Controlman Third Class, USNR, USS Bush (DD-529)
26 March 1945: Lieutenant James Edward Gilbert, USNR, USS PC-1128
6 April 1945: Wesley G. Northey, BM1c, USN, USS Bush (DD-529) 16 April, 1945: Lewis Philips Reed, Gunners Mate Third Class, USN, LCS (L) – 116 12 April 1945: Lieutenant Harold Murdock Scott, Jr., USNR, USS Bennion (DD-662) 6 April, 1945: Robert Hays Shirey, Electrician’s Mate Third Class, USNR, USS Bush (DD-529) (right) 1 April, 1945: Ensign Charles Daughtry Towers, USNR, LCS(L)-118
12 December 1944: Commander George Wendelberg, USN, CO USS Caldwell (DD-605)
“During a highly coordinated and savage Japanese suicide attack his ship was severely damaged and he, himself, seriously wounded. Despite his injuries, and in the face of continuing attacks, he remained steadfast at his battle station and continued to furnish accurate and vital information to machine gun control.”
“After his ship had been initially seriously damaged, he remained aboard during successive crash dives rendering assistance to wounded and assisting in damage control measures. When it became necessary to abandon ship he gave his life jacket to a wounded shipmate. While in the water he supported a seriously wounded man until he himself lacked strength to remain afloat.”
Skillfully maneuvering his ship through enemy mined waters to the side of a mined vessel, Lieutenant Gilbert facilitated the removal of all living personnel and rescued other survivors from the water, although air attack was probable and there was danger the other vessel might explode. During repeated strafing and suicide attacks by enemy aircraft when loss of his ship became imminent, Northey volunteered to man one of the 40-mm guns still in operation and, together with other volunteers, maintained rapid fire against enemy planes. Although it was evident that the third suicide plane coming from the port side would crash on or near his mount, he remained steadfast at his post, keeping the Japanese plane under fire until it crashed approximately ten feet from him. Later succumbing as a result of wounds received, Northy by his valor and devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." “After a suicide plane crashed into his ship and killed and wounded many of the crew, Reed manned a machine gun and, despite his painful wounds, succeeded in delivering accurate fire against another attacking suicide plane which caused the pilot to lose control and crash into the sea.”
“With his ship under concentrated attack by eight to ten planes on the afternoon of April 12, Lieutenant Scott courageously took four targets under fire with the heavy antiaircraft battery within a period of three minutes. During many attacks by enemy suicide planes while his ship was acting as a radar picket, he directed the guns in destroying twelve Japanese aircraft and in assisting in the destruction of four others.”
“During repeated strafing and suicide attacks by enemy aircraft, Shirey volunteered to man one of the 40-mm guns still in operation and, together with other volunteers, maintained rapid and accurate fire against enemy planes. Although it was apparent that the third suicide plane diving on his ship would crash on or near his gun, he remained steadfast at his post and, when order to abandon ship was given, assisted in the evacuation of the forward part of the vessel. ”
"When a nearby friendly vessel was struck by an enemy suicide plane, resulting in severe damage and raging fires, he bravely and voluntarily led a fire and rescue party aboard the blazing ship." "...as Commanding Officer of the destroyer U.S.S. Caldwell, screening an urgent and vital convoy of supplies to isolated U.S. Army forces at Ormoc, Leyte Island, Philippine Islands during the period 11-12 December 1944. During the above period he manuevered his ship and directed her batteries against two heavy daylight enemy air attacks, and intermittent night harassment by enemy planes..."
28 April 1945: Clifford Leroy Baldwin, Sonarman Second Class, USNR, USS Daly (DD-519)
“During a highly coordinated and savage Japanese suicide attack his ship was severely damaged and he, himself, seriously wounded. Despite his injuries, and in the face of continuing attacks, he remained steadfast at his battle station and continued to furnish accurate and vital information to machine gun control.”
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