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Wesley L. Fox

2025-11-02T02:48:56Z

2603:8000:D400:C2:B15A:5896:C351:12AF: /* Military awards */

{{Short description|United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient (1931–2017)}}
{{Infobox military person
|name= Wesley Lee Fox
|birth_date= {{Birth date|1931|9|30}}
|death_date= {{Death date and age|2017|11|24|1931|9|30}}
|birth_place= [[Herndon, Virginia]], US
|death_place=[[Blacksburg, Virginia]], US
|placeofburial= [[Arlington National Cemetery]], [[Arlington, Virginia]]
|placeofburial_label= Place of burial
|image=Col Wesley L Fox.jpg
|caption= Colonel Wesley L. Fox, U.S. Marine Corps
|nickname=
|allegiance=United States of America
|branch=[[File:USMC logo.svg|25px]] [[United States Marine Corps]]
|serviceyears= 1950–1993
|rank= [[File:US-O6 insignia.svg|25px]] [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]]
|commands= Company A, [[1st Battalion, 9th Marines]] Battalion Commander, [[1st Battalion, 6th Marines]], Commanding officer, [[Officer Candidates School (United States Marine Corps)|U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidate School]], Quantico, Virginia
|unit= [[3rd Battalion, 5th Marines]] [[1st Battalion, 9th Marines]] [[MAG-11]] [[Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego|MCRD San Diego]] [[United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance|2nd Force Reconnaissance Company]] [[Marine Air Detachment]] [[Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe|SHAPE]] [[Basic School|Basic School, Quantico]]
|battles= [[Korean War]] [[Vietnam War]] 
|awards= [[Medal of Honor]] [[Legion of Merit]] (2) [[Bronze Star Medal]] with Combat "V" [[Purple Heart]] (4)
|laterwork= Deputy Commandant of Cadets at [[Virginia Tech]] Marine Corps Recruiter author
}}
'''Wesley Lee Fox''' (September 30, 1931 – November 24, 2017) was a highly decorated [[United States Marine Corps]] [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] with 43 years of service. Fox was a combat veteran – receiving the [[Medal of Honor]] for his heroic actions during the [[Vietnam War]] – and is considered one of the Marine Corps' legendary heroes. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he wrote a book about his career: ''Marine Rifleman: Forty-Three Years in the Corps''; and, he served for 8 years as deputy commandant for the [[Virginia Tech]] Corps of Cadets.<ref name=VTobit/>

==Early years==
Wesley Lee Fox was born on September 30, 1931, to John Wesley and Desola Lee (née Crouch) Fox on a farm outside of [[Herndon, Virginia]], the oldest of ten siblings.<ref name=YT_interview>*{{cite web|accessdate=2018-02-17|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNVBMAMBbu4|publisher=MedalOfHonorBook|title=Wesley Fox, Medal of Honor, Vietnam War|date= October 4, 2011}}</ref><ref name=ObitRoanoke/> He attended [[Warren County High School (Virginia)|Warren County High School]] in [[Front Royal]], [[Virginia]] until 1946, quitting school after the eighth grade, intending to be a farmer.<ref name=Pritzker>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/medal-honor/medal-honor-recipient-wesley-l-fox-interview/ |date=October 27, 2005|title=Medal of Honor Recipient Wesley L. Fox Interview|publisher=Pritzker Military Museum & Library}}</ref>

==Marine Corps service==
===Korean War===
When the [[Korean War]] began, inspired by the military service of his cousins in [[World War II]], Fox enlisted in the Marine Corps<ref name=Pritzker/> on August 4, 1950, shortly before his 19th birthday. He intended to serve for four years and then return to the farm.<ref name=Pritzker/> He completed recruit training at [[Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island|Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island]], [[South Carolina]] in October 1950.
After a brief tour as a rifleman with the [[2nd Marine Division]] at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he was sent to Korea.

His first tour to [[Korean War|Korea]] began in January 1951, serving as a rifleman with Company I, [[3rd Battalion, 5th Marines]].<ref name="historynet.com">{{cite web|date=2012-03-12 |url=http://www.historynet.com/interview-moh-recipient-and-author-wesley-fox.htm |title=Interview - MoH recipient and author Wesley Fox: Wesley Fox: Leadership lessons steeled in combat from Korea to Vietnam |publisher=HistoryNet|accessdate=2017-05-29}}</ref> In March 1951, he was promoted to corporal.<ref name=Pritzker/> He was [[wounded in action]] in Korea on September 8, 1951, and sent to the [[Walter Reed National Military Medical Center#History as the National Naval Medical Center (1940–2011)|National Naval Medical Center]] in [[Bethesda, Maryland]], and was awarded the [[Bronze Star Medal]] with [[Combat "V"]].

He recovered and was released from Bethesda in March 1952, he served with the Armed Forces Police, in Washington, D.C., as a patrolman until September 1953 when he was reassigned to [[Marine Aircraft Group 11]] in Japan.

===1954 - 1967===
In 1954, with the war in Korea over, he re-enlisted for six years.<ref name=Pritzker/> and was returned to Korea for his second tour, as a [[Platoon sergeant#U.S. Marine Corps|platoon sergeant]] with Company G, [[3rd Battalion, 5th Marines]]. When he returned to the United States, he served briefly at the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California, prior to being assigned to [[Drill instructor|Drill Instructors]] School at [[Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego]], California, where he completed the course of instruction in August 1955.

Completing his course of instruction in August 1955, he remained at San Diego serving as a drill instructor until August 1957 when he once again returned to the East Coast to attend Recruiter's School at [[Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island]], South Carolina, subsequent to being assigned duty as a recruiter in the Washington, D.C., and the Baltimore, Maryland areas from 1957 to December 1960.

In December 1960, Fox was ordered back to the West Coast and served as a platoon sergeant with the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company at both Camp Pendleton, California, and on Okinawa through November 1962. In December 1962, he was assigned as a troop handler at the Marine Air Detachment, in Jacksonville, Florida, and served in this capacity until September 1965. Gunnery Sergeant Fox next saw duty in the Office of the Provost Marshal, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Paris, France.

In May 1966, he was promoted briefly to [[First sergeant#United States Marine Corps|first sergeant]], and shortly afterwards, he was commissioned as a Marine [[Second Lieutenant#United States|second lieutenant]] by Brigadier General [[John W. Antonelli]] on 27 May 1966.<ref name=PatriotPost>{{cite web|accessdate=2018-02-17|title=Col. Wesley Lee Fox, RIP |date=November 27, 2017 |url=https://patriotpost.us/articles/52598-col-wesley-lee-fox-rip|first=Lee |last=Crockett}}</ref>
Returning to the United States in August of that year, he became a platoon commander with the 2d Force Reconnaissance Company at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

===Vietnam War===
Beginning in September 1967, Fox served in the [[Vietnam War]] for 13 months as an executive officer of a South Vietnamese Marine Battalion.<ref name="historynet.com"/> In November 1968, he was reassigned to Vietnam as the [[company commander]] of Company A, [[1st Battalion, 9th Marines]] until May 1969. On February 22, 1969, during [[Operation Dewey Canyon]] in [[Quang Tri Province]], he was wounded twice. He was wounded the first time in the shoulder when his company was attacked by a large enemy force. A [[First Lieutenant (United States)|first lieutenant]] at the time, Fox then personally neutralized one enemy emplacement and directed his company to destroy the enemy. After his company's [[executive officer]] was mortally wounded, he continued to direct the company's actions, ordering [[Airstrike|air strikes]] and coordinating the advance until the enemy retreated; Fox, the only officer left in his company still capable of resisting the enemy, was wounded again in the final assault, but refused medical attention while he reorganized his troops and prepared the wounded for evacuation. Fox was later promoted to captain on 1 April 1969. For his heroic actions, he was awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] by [[U. S. President|President]] [[Richard Nixon]] on March 2, 1971.<ref>{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Charles|title=U.S. Marines in Vietnam: High Mobility and Standdown 1969|publisher=History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps|url=https://archive.org/details/HighMobilityAndStanddown|year=1988|isbn=978-1494287627|page=[https://archive.org/details/HighMobilityAndStanddown/page/n379 365]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bernstein |first=Adam |date=2017-11-29 |title=Wesley Fox, Marine who received Medal of Honor for Vietnam campaign, dies at 86 |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/wesley-fox-marine-who-received-medal-of-honor-for-vietnam-campaign-dies-at-86/2017/11/28/e5f9fa32-d462-11e7-a986-d0a9770d9a3e_story.html |access-date=2023-02-12 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

== Post-Vietnam ==
Fox graduated from [[Amphibious Warfare School]] at [[Marine Corps Base Quantico]] in 1970 followed by assignment as tactics instructor at [[the Basic School]]. He later served duty with [[Marine Security Guard|Marine Security Guards]] in Europe and then later as training officer, [[2nd Marine Division]]. As a major, Fox served a tour in Okinawa with [[3rd Reconnaissance Battalion (United States)|3rd Recon Battalion]], then was assigned as Reconnaissance Officer in the Marine Corps Development Center. As a lieutenant colonel, Fox assumed command of [[1st Battalion, 6th Marines]] from June 1982 to July 1983. Fox graduated from the [[United States Army War College|Army War College]] at Carlisle, Pennsylvania and was next assigned as Fleet Marine Officer Second Fleet aboard {{USS|Mount Whitney|LCC-20|6}} for two years. His final assignment was as the commanding officer of Marine [[Officer Candidate School]].

== Post-Marine Corps ==
Fox retired from the Marine Corps as a [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] on 1 September 1993 at the mandatory age of 62. Fox was one of the very few servicemembers that fought in the [[Korean War]] who was still on active duty during the [[Gulf War]]. He continued to wear the uniform for eight more years as a deputy commandant of cadets for the [[Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets]]. During and following his time as a deputy commandant, Fox was a regular guest speaker at [[Virginia Tech]], sharing his experiences with America's next generation of military officers, business executives, and civic leaders.

In 2002, Fox wrote a book about his experiences in the military, ''Marine Rifleman: Forty-Three Years in the Corps'' and was featured on the 2003 [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] program ''American Valor''. In 2011, he wrote a second book, ''Six Essential Elements of Leadership: Marine Corps Wisdom from a Medal of Honor Recipient,'' which is required reading for first year cadets at Virginia Tech.<ref name=VTobit/>

Fox resided in [[Blacksburg, Virginia]], with his wife, Dotti (formerly Dotti Lu Bossinger). They have three daughters. He died in Blacksburg on the evening of November 24, 2017, and was buried at [[Arlington National Cemetery]].<ref name=ObitRoanoke>{{cite web|url=http://www.roanoke.com/obituaries/fox-wesley-lee/article_6050e02d-c4c5-5bc7-b1b2-5d7e3f6271d9.html
|title=Obituary:Fox, Wesley Lee|date=November 28, 2017|work=Roanoke Times}}</ref><ref name="VTobit">{{cite news|accessdate=2018-02-17|url=https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2017/11/corps-fox.html|title=In Memoriam: Col. Wesley L. Fox, Medal of Honor recipient and honorary Virginia Tech alumnus|work=Virginia Tech News|date=November 27, 2017}}</ref>

==Military awards==

Fox's military decorations and awards included:
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="4"|[[File:USAF - Occupational Badge - Scuba.svg|75px]]
|-
|colspan="4"|[[File:U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia-redone.png|200px]]
|-
|colspan="4"|[[File:ViPaBa.jpg|140px]]
|-
|colspan="2" align="right"|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Medal_of_Honor_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|colspan="2" align="left"|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Bronze Star Medal ribbon with "V" device, 3rd award.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|106px}}[[File:1 golden star.svg|22px]] [[File:1 golden star.svg|22px]][[File:1 golden star.svg|22px]]
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106px}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint_Service_Commendation_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106px}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal ribbon with "V" device, 3rd award.svg|width=106px}}[[File:1 golden star.svg|21px]]
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Combat_Action_Ribbon,_2nd_award.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=AF_Presidential_Unit_Citation_Ribbon.png|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=U.S._Navy_Unit_Commendation_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy_Meritorious_Unit_Commendation_ribbon.svg|width=106}}[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg|18px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg|18px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg|18px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg|18px]]
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=U.S._Marine_Corps_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}}[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg|18px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg|18px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg|18px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg|18px]]
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg|18px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg|18px]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Korean_Service_Medal_-_Ribbon.svg|width=106}}[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg|18px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg|18px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg|18px]]
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}[[File:Silver-service-star-3d.svg|18px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg|18px]]
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy_and_Marine_Corps_Sea_Service_Deployment_Ribbon.svg|width=106}}[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg|18px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg|18px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg|18px]]
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Arctic Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Vietnamese Gallantry Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}}[[File:Award-star-silver-3d.png|26px]][[File:Award-star-silver-3d.png|26px]]
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal ribbon-First Class.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Presidential_Unit_Citation_(Korea).svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Vietnam_gallantry_cross_unit_award-3d.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=VNCivilActionsRibbon-2.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=United Nations Service Medal Korea ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Republic of Korea War Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|colspan="2"|[[File:USMC Rifle Expert badge.png|150px]]
|colspan="2"|[[File:USMC Pistol Expert badge.png|150px]]
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="6"|[[Diver insignia|Scuba Diver Insignia]]
|-
|colspan="6"|[[Parachutist Badge (United States)|Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia]]
|-
|colspan="6"|Republic of Vietnam Parachutist Badge
|-
!1st Row
|
|align="center" |[[Medal of Honor]]
|align="center" |[[Legion of Merit]] w/ one [[5/16 inch star|{{frac|5|16|}}" Gold Star]]
|-
!2nd Row
|[[Bronze Star Medal]] w/ [[Combat "V"]]
|[[Purple Heart]] w/ three {{frac|5|16}}" Gold Stars
|[[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]]
|[[Commendation Medal|Joint Service Commendation Medal]]
|-
!3rd Row
|[[Commendation Medal|Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal]] w/ Combat "V" and {{frac|5|16}}" Gold Star
|[[Combat Action Ribbon]] w/ one {{frac|5|16}}" Gold Star [http://www.americanveteranscenter.org/avc-events/parade/national-memorial-day-parade/2010-military-marshals-and-reviewing-officer/]
|[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Navy Presidential Unit Citation]]
|[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Army Presidential Unit Citation]]
|-
!4th Row
|[[Navy Unit Commendation]]
|[[Meritorious Unit Commendation|Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation]] w/ four {{frac|3|16}}" [[Service Star|Bronze Stars]]
|[[Good Conduct Medal (United States)|Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal]] w/ four {{frac|3|16|}}" Bronze Stars
|[[National Defense Service Medal]] w/ two {{frac|3|16}}" Bronze Stars
|-
!5th Row
|[[Korean Service Medal]] w/ three {{frac|3|16}}" Bronze Stars
|[[Vietnam Service Medal]] w/ one {{frac|3|16}}" Silver Star and one {{frac|3|16}}" Bronze Star
|[[Sea Service Ribbon|Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon]] w/ three {{frac|3|16}}" Bronze Stars
|[[Navy Arctic Service Ribbon]]
|-
!6th Row
|[[Vietnam Gallantry Cross|Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross]] w/ two {{frac|5|16}}" Silver Stars
|[[Armed Forces Honor Medal]], 1st class (Vietnam)
|[[Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation]]
|[[Vietnam Gallantry Cross|Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross)]] w/ Palm and Frame
|-
!7th Row
|[[Vietnam Civil Actions Medal|Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Civil Actions)]] w/ Palm and Frame
|[[United Nations Korea Medal]]
|[[Vietnam Campaign Medal|Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal]] w/ 1960- Device
|[[Korean War Service Medal|Republic of Korea War Service Medal]]
|-
|}
* [[Marksmanship Badges (United States)|Marine Corps Rifle Expert Badge]]
* [[Marksmanship Badges (United States)|Marine Corps Pistol Expert Badge]]

===Medal of Honor citation===
The [[President of the United States]] in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
{{center|'''CAPTAIN WESLEY L. FOX''' UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS}}
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

<blockquote>For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as commanding officer of Company A, in action against the enemy in the northern A Shau Valley. Capt. (then 1st Lt.) Fox's company came under intense fire from a large well concealed enemy force. Capt. Fox maneuvered to a position from which he could assess the situation and confer with his platoon leaders. As they departed to execute the plan he had devised, the enemy attacked and Capt. Fox was wounded along with all of the other members of the command group, except the executive officer. Capt. Fox continued to direct the activity of his company. Advancing through heavy enemy fire, he personally neutralized 1 enemy position and calmly ordered an assault against the hostile emplacements. He then moved through the hazardous area coordinating aircraft support with the activities of his men. When his executive officer was mortally wounded, Capt. Fox reorganized the company and directed the fire of his men as they hurled grenades against the enemy and drove the hostile forces into retreat. Wounded again in the final assault, Capt. Fox refused medical attention, established a defensive posture, and supervised the preparation of casualties for medical evacuation. His indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger inspired his Marines to such aggressive action that they overcame all enemy resistance and destroyed a large bunker complex. Capt. Fox's heroic actions reflect great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps, and uphold the highest traditions of the [[United States Department of the Navy|U.S. Naval Service]].</blockquote>

{{center|/S/ [[Richard Nixon|Richard M. Nixon]]}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography}}
{{commons category|Wesley L. Fox}}
*[[List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War#F|List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War]]

==References==
:{{Marine Corps}}
{{Reflist}}
*{{Cite web|accessdate=2008-02-01
|url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Fox_WL.htm
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516223742/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Fox_WL.htm
|archivedate=2011-05-16
|title=Colonel Wesley L. Fox, USMC
|work=Who's Who in Marine Corps History
|publisher=History Division, United States Marine Corps}}

*{{Cite web
|url = http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/000003c919889c0385255fa300753632?OpenDocument
|title = Medal of Honor — Captain Wesley I. Fox (Medal of Honor citation)
|work = Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor
|publisher = History Division, United States Marine Corps
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070222175445/http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/000003c919889c0385255fa300753632?OpenDocument
|archivedate = 2007-02-22
|url-status = dead
}}

==External links==
*{{Cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/weta/americanvalor/stories/fox.html |title=Colonel Fox's Medal of Honor citation|work=American Valor|publisher=PBS}}
*{{Cite web
|publisher = [[United States Army Center of Military History]]
|title = Medal of Honor recipients
|work = Medal of Honor citations
|date = August 3, 2009
|url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/Vietnam-a-l.html
|accessdate = July 1, 2010
|archive-date = June 27, 2009
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090627093600/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/vietnam-a-l.html
|url-status = dead
}}

*[https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgNGb3gSBldlc2xleQ--/ ANC Explorer]
*{{YouTube|rNVBMAMBbu4|Wesley Fox, Medal of Honor, Vietnam War}}.

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fox, Wesley Lee}}
[[Category:1931 births]]
[[Category:2017 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Herndon, Virginia]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps colonels]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Korean War]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War]]
[[Category:Vietnam War recipients of the Medal of Honor]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients]]
[[Category:American recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)]]
[[Category:American military writers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Virginia]]
[[Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery]]
[[Category:Writers from Virginia]]

William McGonagle

2025-11-02T02:47:54Z

2603:8000:D400:C2:B15A:5896:C351:12AF: /* Awards and honors */

{{Short description|United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient}}
{{for|the Scottish poet|William McGonagall}}
{{Infobox military person
|name= William McGonagle
|image= WilliamMcGonagle.jpg
|image_size=
|alt=
|caption= Captain William McGonagle, October 1967
|nickname=
|birth_date= {{Birth date|1925|11|19}}
|birth_place= [[Wichita, Kansas]], US
|death_date= {{Death date and age|1999|3|3|1925|11|19}}
|death_place= [[Palm Springs, California]], US
|placeofburial= [[Arlington National Cemetery]]
|allegiance= United States
|branch= [[United States Navy]]
|serviceyears= 1944–1974
|rank= [[Captain (naval)|Captain]]
|servicenumber=
|unit=
|commands= {{USS|Kilauea|AE-26|6}} {{USS|Liberty|AGTR-5|6}} {{USS|Reclaimer|ARS-42|6}} {{USS|Mataco|AT-86|6}}
|battles= [[World War II]] [[Korean War]] [[Six-Day War]] [[Vietnam War]]
|awards= [[Medal of Honor]] [[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] (2) [[Purple Heart]]
|relations=
|laterwork=
}}
'''William Loren McGonagle''' (November 19, 1925 – March 3, 1999) was a [[United States Navy]] officer who received the [[Medal of Honor]] for his actions while in command of the {{USS|Liberty|AGTR-5|6}} when it was [[USS Liberty incident|attacked]] by [[Israel]] in the Eastern [[Mediterranean]] on June 8, 1967, during the [[Six-Day War]].

After accepting a commission in the United States Navy in 1944, McGonagle held various assignments before taking command of the ''Liberty'' in 1966. In June 1967 the ''Liberty'' was sailing in [[international waters]] in the Eastern Mediterranean when it was attacked by the [[Israel Defense Forces]], injuring McGonagle, killing and injuring other members of his crew, and severely damaging the ship. He maintained control of the ship until help arrived, and after healing from his wounds was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on the ''Liberty'' in 1967. He continued his navy career, holding several more positions until retiring in 1974. When he died in 1999 he was buried at [[Arlington National Cemetery]] with full military honors a short distance from the graves of some of his crew who were killed during the attack.

==Naval career==

[[File:William McGonagle Arlington National Cemetery.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Grave at Arlington National Cemetery]]
McGonagle was born November 19, 1925, in [[Wichita, Kansas]]. After attending secondary school, McGonagle attended the [[University of Southern California]] in which he participated in the [[Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps]] Program. In June 1947, he accepted a commission in the navy as an [[Ensign (rank)|ensign]].<ref name=NHC>{{Cite web |access-date=February 18, 2010 |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-m/w-mcgngl.htm |title=Captain William L. McGonagle, USN, (1925–1999) |publisher=[[Naval Historical Center]] |date=January 14, 2001 |archive-date=April 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408124017/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-m/w-mcgngl.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was assigned to the [[destroyer]] {{USS|Frank Knox|DD-742|6}} and after that was posted to the [[Minesweeper (ship)|minesweeper]] {{USS|Partridge|AMS-31|6}} from 1947–1950. During the [[Korean War]] he served on the minesweeper {{USS|Kite|AMS-22|6}} during the extensive operations that earned him and the other members of the crew a [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]]. From 1951 to 1966, he was assigned to various positions ashore and afloat, including commands of the fleet tug {{USS|Mataco|AT-86|6}} from 1957 to 1958 and the salvage ship {{USS|Reclaimer|ARS-42|6}} from 1961 to 1963.<ref name=NHC/>

McGonagle took command of the {{USS|Liberty|AGTR-5|6}} in April 1966. On June 8, 1967, during the [[Six-Day War]] between Israel and her Arab neighbors, the ''Liberty'' was attacked by Israeli forces while sailing in [[international waters]] in the Eastern [[Mediterranean]].<ref name=NHC/> The Israeli government has maintained since the assault that they believed that the ship was an Egyptian vessel. Israel relentlessly attacked the ''Liberty'' with jets, helicopters, and motor [[torpedo boat]]s. McGonagle was severely wounded during the first air attack and although the bridge had sustained heavy damage he stayed and directed the defense of the ship, refusing to leave his post for medical attention. As the Israeli fighters continued their attack he maneuvered his ship, directed its defense, supervised the control of flooding and fire, and saw to the care of the casualties. Captain McGonagle remained at his battle station and continued to command his ship for more than 17 hours. It was only after rendezvous with a United States destroyer that he relinquished personal control of the ''Liberty'' and permitted himself to be removed from the bridge.<ref name=Citation>{{Cite web|accessdate = February 29, 2012|url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/vietnam-m-z.html|title = Medal of Honor recipients|work = Vietnam War (M–Z)|publisher = [[United States Army Center of Military History]]|date = June 27, 2011|archive-date = April 24, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080424094845/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/vietnam-m-z.html|url-status = dead}}</ref> The combined air and sea attack killed 34 crew members including naval officers, seamen, two Marines, and a civilian, wounded 171, and severely damaged the ship. Although the ship had a 39 ft (12 m) wide by 24 ft (7.3 m) high hole and a twisted keel from a torpedo impact, the crew kept the ship afloat, and were able to leave the area under their own power. When the damage to the ship was assessed 821 rocket, shell, and machine-gun holes were found in the ship's hull.<ref name=arlington>{{Cite web |url=http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/wlmcgon.htm |title=William Loren McGonagle, Captain, United States Navy |publisher=Arlington National Cemetery profile |accessdate=July 23, 2006 |archive-date=January 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113071217/http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/wlmcgon.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:McGonagle USSLiberty H97476.jpg|thumb|right|Commander McGonagle points out damage to the USS ''Liberty''.]]
The Medal of Honor was presented to him, in secret, at the [[Washington Navy Yard]] by the [[Secretary of the Navy]], rather than at the [[White House]] by the [[President of the United States|President]].<ref>Thurber 1999.</ref> This represents the only time a Medal of Honor recipient was awarded in such a manner. After being promoted to captain in October 1967 and recovering from his wounds he was given command of the new ammunition ship {{USS|Kilauea|AE-26|6}}. He then served as commanding officer of the [[Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps]] Unit at the [[University of Oklahoma]] before retiring from active duty in 1974.<ref name=NHC/>

==Death and legacy==

For several decades following the [[USS Liberty incident|USS ''Liberty'' incident]], he refused to publicly comment on the attack.<ref name="auto">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tn0pk8pVE88C | title=The Attack on the Liberty: The Untold Story of Israel's Deadly 1967 Assault on a U.S. Spy Ship | isbn=9781416554820 | last1=Scott | first1=James | date=2 June 2009 | publisher=Simon and Schuster | access-date=29 March 2023 | archive-date=10 May 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510184127/https://books.google.com/books?id=Tn0pk8pVE88C | url-status=live }}</ref> He made occasional appearances with his surviving crew, such as on the 24th anniversary of the attack (in 1991) in a reunion at the [[White House]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=McAllister |first=Bill |date=1991-06-15 |title=SPY SHIP BROUGHT IN FROM THE COLD |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/06/15/spy-ship-brought-in-from-the-cold/d3d94b1a-34ca-4d66-8d53-dbb9045b09a2/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=2019-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215155833/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/06/15/spy-ship-brought-in-from-the-cold/d3d94b1a-34ca-4d66-8d53-dbb9045b09a2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During his later years, including during the White House reunion, he suffered from cancer. On the 30th anniversary of the attack (in 1997), during a reunion held at [[Arlington National Cemetery]], he finally called for an investigation and denounced Israel’s mistaken identity claim: “I think it’s about time that the state of Israel and the United States government provide the crew members of the Liberty and the rest of the American people the facts of what happened, and why…the ''Liberty'' was attacked 30 years ago today. For many years I have wanted to believe that the attack on the ''Liberty'' was pure error. It appears to me that it was not a pure case of mistaken identity. It was, on the other hand, gross incompetence and aggravated dereliction of duty on the part of many officers and men of the state of Israel.”<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/wlmcgon.htm | title=William Loren McGonagle – Captain, United States Navy | date=26 March 2023 | access-date=25 March 2023 | archive-date=25 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325221000/https://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/wlmcgon.htm | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Citation |title=USS Liberty CO William McGonagle Attack Was Not Mistaken Identity |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu9hzRGCSIw |access-date=2023-05-04 |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402220932/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Yu9hzRGCSIw |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Captain William McGonagle Breaks 30 Year Silence To Talk About Israel's Attack on The USS Liberty |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oabZvDqToMQ |access-date=2023-05-04 |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402220926/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=oabZvDqToMQ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 3, 1999, he died in [[Palm Springs, California]], and, following services at the Post Chapel at [[Fort Myer]], Virginia, he was buried with full military honors on April 9, 1999, at [[Arlington National Cemetery]] with members of his USS ''Liberty'' crew in attendance. His grave can be found in section 34, lot 208  near the [[mass grave|common gravesite]] of six other members of the USS ''Liberty'' crew.<ref name=arlington/>

==Awards and honors==
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|colspan=3|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Medal of Honor ribbon.svg|width=106}} {{ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Combat Action Ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=China Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army of Occupation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=6|type=service-star|ribbon=Korean_Service_Medal_-_Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Presidential Unit Citation (Korea).svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=United Nations Service Medal Korea ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Republic of Korea War Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|colspan=3|[[File:Navy CaS.png|50px]]
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan=2|[[Medal of Honor]]
|colspan=2|[[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] with one [[5/16 inch star|star]]
|-
|[[Purple Heart]]
|colspan=2|[[Combat Action Ribbon]] with one star
|[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]] with one [[service star|star]]
|-
|colspan=2|[[American Campaign Medal]]
|[[World War II Victory Medal]]
|[[China Service Medal]]
|-
|[[Navy Occupation Service Medal]] with ASIA Clasp
|colspan=2|[[National Defense Service Medal]] with one star
|[[Korean Service Medal]] with six stars
|-
|[[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]]
|colspan=2|[[Vietnam Service Medal]] with one star
|[[Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation|Presidential Unit Citation (Korea)]]
|-
|[[United Nations Korea Medal]]
|colspan=2|[[Vietnam Campaign Medal]]
|[[Korean War Service Medal]]
|-
|colspan=4|[[Command at Sea insignia]]
|}

===Medal of Honor citation===
[[File:Moh right.gif|left|55px]]
The President of the United States of America, authorized by an Act of Congress, June 11, 1968, has awarded, in the name of Congress, the Medal of Honor to
{{center|'''CAPTAIN WILLIAM LOREN MCGONAGLE''' UNITED STATES NAVY}}

{{blockquote|For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer, {{USS|Liberty|AGTR-5}} in the Eastern [[Mediterranean]] on 8–9 June 1967. Sailing in [[international waters]], the ''Liberty'' was attacked without warning by [[jet fighter]] aircraft and motor [[torpedo boat]]s which inflicted many casualties among the crew and caused extreme damage to the ship. Although severely wounded during the first air attack, Captain (then Commander) McGonagle remained at his battle station on the badly damaged bridge and, with full knowledge of the seriousness of his wounds, subordinated his own welfare to the safety and survival of his command. Steadfastly refusing any treatment which would take him away from his post, he calmly continued to exercise firm command of his ship. Despite continuous exposure to fire, he maneuvered his ship, directed its defense, supervised the control of flooding and fire, and saw to the care of the casualties. Captain McGonagle's extraordinary valor under these conditions inspired the surviving members of the ''Liberty'''s crew, many of them seriously wounded, to heroic efforts to overcome the battle damage and keep the ship afloat. Subsequent to the attack, although in great pain and weak from the loss of blood, Captain McGonagle remained at his battle station and continued to command his ship for more than seventeen hours. It was only after rendezvous with a United States [[destroyer]] that he relinquished personal control of the ''Liberty'' and permitted himself to be removed from the bridge. Even then, he refused much needed medical attention until convinced that the seriously wounded among his crew had been treated. Captain McGonagle's superb professionalism, courageous fighting spirit, and valiant [[leadership]] saved his ship and many lives. His actions sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the [[United States Navy|United States Naval Service]].<ref name=Citation/>}}

Captain McGonagle’s Medal of Honor citation does not list the nationality of the military forces which attacked his ship. This omission is highly unusual and was allegedly due to a supposed cover-up by the incumbent presidential administration, although this remains highly contentious.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://theintercept.com/2017/06/06/fifty-years-later-nsa-keeps-details-of-israels-uss-liberty-attack-secret/ | title=Fifty Years Later, NSA Keeps Details of Israel's USS Liberty Attack Secret | date=6 June 2017 | access-date=2023-03-22 | archive-date=2023-03-21 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321072041/https://theintercept.com/2017/06/06/fifty-years-later-nsa-keeps-details-of-israels-uss-liberty-attack-secret/ | url-status=live }} {{Cite web |title=Even as USS Liberty's Heroic Captain Receives New Honor, Coverup of Israeli Attack on His Ship Continues |url=https://www.wrmea.org/1998-march/even-as-uss-liberty-s-heroic-captain-receives-new-honor-coverup-of-israeli-attack-on-his-ship-continues.html |access-date=2023-05-04 |archive-date=2023-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319133116/https://www.wrmea.org/1998-march/even-as-uss-liberty-s-heroic-captain-receives-new-honor-coverup-of-israeli-attack-on-his-ship-continues.html |url-status=live }} {{Cite web|url=http://hnn.us/articles/191.html|title=USS Liberty: Cover Up | History News Network|website=hnn.us|access-date=2023-05-15|archive-date=2009-02-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201115113/http://hnn.us/articles/191.html|url-status=live}} {{cite web | url=https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/191 | title=USS Liberty: Cover up | History News Network | access-date=2023-03-22 | archive-date=2023-03-21 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321192702/https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/191 | url-status=live }} {{cite news | url=https://www.juneauempire.com/opinion/the-cover-up-of-the-uss-liberty/ | title=The cover-up of the USS Liberty | Juneau Empire | newspaper=Juneau Empire | date=5 June 2017 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=22 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322045239/https://www.juneauempire.com/opinion/the-cover-up-of-the-uss-liberty/ | url-status=live }} {{cite news | url=https://www.chron.com/opinion/outlook/article/Betrayal-behind-Israeli-attack-on-U-S-ship-1493153.php | title=Betrayal behind Israeli attack on U.S. Ship | newspaper=Chron | date=11 January 2004 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=20 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320205039/https://www.chron.com/opinion/outlook/article/Betrayal-behind-Israeli-attack-on-U-S-ship-1493153.php | url-status=live }} {{cite web | url=https://truthout.org/articles/leaving-the-uss-liberty-crew-behind/ | title=Leaving the USS Liberty Crew Behind | date=9 June 2014 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=22 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322045248/https://truthout.org/articles/leaving-the-uss-liberty-crew-behind/ | url-status=live }} {{cite web | url=https://consortiumnews.com/2014/11/12/behind-the-uss-liberty-cover-up/ | title=Behind the USS Liberty Cover-up | date=12 November 2014 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=22 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322045243/https://consortiumnews.com/2014/11/12/behind-the-uss-liberty-cover-up/ | url-status=live }} {{cite web | url=https://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/05/still-waiting-uss-libertys-truth | title=Opinion | Still Waiting for USS Liberty's Truth | Common Dreams | access-date=2023-03-22 | archive-date=2023-03-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322045239/https://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/05/still-waiting-uss-libertys-truth | url-status=live }} {{cite web | url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/were-fed-survivors-uss-liberty-214552842.html | title='We're Fed up with It': Survivors of the USS Liberty Look for Answers 55 Years Later | date=8 June 2022 | access-date=2023-03-22 | archive-date=2023-03-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322045238/https://www.yahoo.com/now/were-fed-survivors-uss-liberty-214552842.html | url-status=live }} {{cite web | url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/06/08/were-fed-it-survivors-of-uss-liberty-look-answers-55-years-later.html | title='We're Fed up with It': Survivors of the USS Liberty Look for Answers 55 Years Later | date=5 August 2022 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=22 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322045242/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/06/08/were-fed-it-survivors-of-uss-liberty-look-answers-55-years-later.html | url-status=live }} {{cite web | url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/06/09/liberty-survivors-say-us-still-plays-down-israels-attack-on-ship.html | title=Liberty Survivors Say US Still Downplays Israel's Attack on Ship | date=31 October 2017 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=22 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322045239/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/06/09/liberty-survivors-say-us-still-plays-down-israels-attack-on-ship.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Other honors===
A Golden Palm Star on the [[Palm Springs Walk of Stars]] was dedicated to McGonagle for [[Veterans Day (United States)|Veterans Day]] in 1999, recognizing him as one of five Medal of Honor recipients from the Southern California desert area.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121208224143/http://www.palmspringswalkofstars.com/web-storage/Stars%20by%20date/Stars%20dedicated%20by%20date.pdf Palm Springs Walk of Stars: By Date Dedicated]}}</ref>

The Captain William L. McGonagle Branch Medical/Dental Clinic was dedicated at Naval Security Group Activity Northwest, Chesapeake VA, on December 5, 1997. This is believed to be one of the few times in history a U.S. Naval building has been dedicated in honor of a living sailor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Liberty Honors |url=http://home.roadrunner.com/~gidusko/liberty/honors.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709115530/http://home.roadrunner.com/~gidusko/liberty/honors.txt |archive-date=July 9, 2013 |access-date=January 31, 2024 |website=roadrunner.com}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography}}

* [[List of Medal of Honor recipients]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==External links and further reading==
* {{Hall of Valor|3339|accessdate=February 18, 2010}}
* {{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/09/world/william-mcgonagle-73-hero-of-israel-attack-on-the-liberty.html|title=William McGonagle, 73, Hero of Israel Attack on the ''Liberty''|author=Eric Page|date=March 9, 1999|work=The [[New York Times]]|url-access=subscription|accessdate=May 11, 2019}}
* {{Cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/services/newspaper/eedition/chi-liberty_tuesoct02,0,3794785,full.story|title=New revelations in attack on American spy ship|author=John Crewdson|date=October 2, 2007|work=The [[Chicago Tribune]]|accessdate=February 23, 2010}}
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.ussliberty.org/|title=USS ''Liberty'' Memorial|accessdate=July 23, 2006}}
* {{Cite web|accessdate=February 18, 2010|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-l/agtr5.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010211003116/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-l/agtr5.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 11, 2001|title=USS ''Liberty'' (AGTR-5), 1964–1970|publisher= [[Naval Historical Center]]|date=January 14, 2001}}
* {{Cite web|accessdate=February 18, 2010|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-l/agtr5-k.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121212225744/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-l/agtr5-k.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 12, 2012|title=USS ''Liberty'' (AGTR-5) – Attack by Israeli forces, 8 June 1967|publisher= [[Naval Historical Center]]|date=January 14, 2001}}
* {{Cite web|accessdate=February 23, 2010|url=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3319663041501647311&ei=8N-BS-KPLYrk-Aaujem9DQ&q=bbc+uss+liberty#|title=Dead in the Water|publisher= BBC Four Documentaries]|date=August 21, 2004}}
* {{Cite news|url=http://www.ussliberty.org/latimes.htm|title= Capt. William McGonagle; Won Medal of Honor After Israelis Attacked Ship|author=Jon Thurber|work=Obituaries|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=March 11, 1999|accessdate=July 23, 2006}}
* {{Cite book|author=Cristol, A. Jay|title=The ''Liberty'' Incident: The 1967 Israeli Attack on the U.S. Navy Spy Ship|url=https://archive.org/details/libertyincident10000cris|location=Dulles, Virginia|publisher=Brassey's|year=2002|isbn=1-57488-414-X|url-access=registration}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McGonagle, William}}
[[Category:1925 births]]
[[Category:1999 deaths]]
[[Category:USS Liberty incident]]
[[Category:United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients]]
[[Category:United States Navy officers]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of the Korean War]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of the Vietnam War]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Riverside County, California]]
[[Category:People from Palm Springs, California]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Wichita, Kansas]]
[[Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery]]

Carl Epting Mundy Jr.

2025-11-02T02:47:01Z

2603:8000:D400:C2:B15A:5896:C351:12AF: /* Awards and decorations */

{{short description|United States Marine Corps general}}

{{for|his son, also a Marine Corps general officer|Carl E. Mundy III}}
{{Infobox military person
|name= Carl E. Mundy Jr.
|image= GEN Carl E. Mundy, Jr.JPG{{!}}border
|image_size=
|alt=
|caption= Official portrait, 1991
|nickname=
|birth_date= {{Birth date |1935|07|16}}
|birth_place= [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], U.S.
|death_date= {{Death date and age|2014|04|02|1935|07|16}}
|death_place= [[Alexandria, Virginia]], U.S.
|placeofburial=
|alma_mater= [[Auburn University]]
|allegiance= United States
|branch= [[United States Marine Corps]]
|serviceyears= 1953–1995
|rank= [[General (United States)|General]]
|unit=
|commands= [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]] [[Marine Forces Atlantic]] [[II Marine Expeditionary Force]] [[4th Marine Amphibious Brigade]] [[2nd Marine Regiment (United States)|2nd Marine Regiment]] [[2nd Battalion, 4th Marines]]
|battles= [[Vietnam War]] [[Cold War]]
|awards= [[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] [[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]] [[Army Distinguished Service Medal]] [[Air Force Distinguished Service Medal]] [[Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal]] [[Legion of Merit]] [[Bronze Star Medal]] [[Purple Heart]]
|relations=
|laterwork= [[USO]] Marine Corps University Foundation [[Schering-Plough]] [[General Dynamics]] [[Council on Foreign Relations]]
}}
'''Carl Epting Mundy Jr.''' (July 16, 1935 – April 2, 2014) was a [[United States Marine Corps]] [[General (United States)|four-star general]] who served as the 30th [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]] and a member of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]] from July 1, 1991, until his retirement on June 30, 1995, after 42 years of service. He was notable for his opposition to [[Sexual orientation and military service|military service by gay people]] and for helping to shape the military's "[[don't ask, don't tell]]" policy of 1993.<ref name="Yardley2014" />

From 1996 to 2000, Mundy served as president and [[CEO]] of the [[United Service Organizations]].<ref name=BusinessWeek>{{cite web|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/businessweek/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=628568&capId=274561&previousCapId=139673&previousTitle=Schering-Plough%20Corp.|title=Carl Mundy: Executive Profile & Biography|access-date=22 February 2009|work=[[Business Week]]}}{{dead link|date=April 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He was also the chairman of the [[Marine Corps University]] Foundation,<ref name=MCUF>{{cite web|access-date=22 February 2009 |url=http://www.mcuf.org/bio_mundy.html |title=Board of Trustees: General Carl E. Mundy Jr. USMC (Ret) – Chairman |publisher=Marine Corps University Foundation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825062859/http://www.mcuf.org/bio_mundy.html |archive-date=25 August 2009 }}</ref> and served on a number of corporate boards.

==Early life and education==
Mundy was born on July 16, 1935, in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].<ref name=WashingtonPost_Ruane_19990605>{{cite news|access-date=22 February 2009|url=http://www.patriotfiles.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24915|title=Four Years Ago, Carl Mundy Hung Up His Sword. His Life Would Never Be the Same.|first=Michael E. |last=Ruane|newspaper=Washington Post |date=June 5, 1999 |page=C01|format=Reprinted on www.patriotfiles.com}}</ref> His family moved frequently when he was a young child, settling in [[Waynesville, North Carolina]], when Mundy was about 10 years old.<ref name=WashingtonPost_Ruane_19990605/> He graduated from [[Sidney Lanier High School]] in [[Montgomery, Alabama]]. At age 18, he enlisted in the [[Marine Forces Reserve|U.S. Marine Corps Reserve]].<ref name=AuburnAward>{{cite web|access-date=22 February 2009 |url=http://www.alumni.auburn.edu/awards/lifetime-recipients2007.html |title=2007 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients: Carl E. Mundy Jr. '57 |publisher=Auburn University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825155943/http://www.alumni.auburn.edu/awards/lifetime-recipients2007.html |archive-date=25 August 2009 }}</ref>

==Marine career==
[[File:DD-SD-00-00989 US Marine Corps Commandant, GEN Carl Mundy in 1993.jpeg|thumb|upright|right|Mundy visiting Marines in Somalia that are assigned to the mission of Operation Restore Hope]]
[[File:Randy Norfleet with USMC commandant, 1995.png|thumb|upright|right|Mundy visiting a survivor of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.]]
Mundy enlisted in the [[Marine Forces Reserve|Marine Corps Reserve]] and enrolled in the [[Officer Candidates School (United States Marine Corps)#Platoon Leaders Class|Platoon Leaders Class]] Program in December 1953 while attending college – serving in the 38th Special Infantry Company, [[Montgomery, Alabama]], and rising to the rank of [[Sergeant#United States|sergeant]]. He was commissioned a [[Second lieutenant#United States|second lieutenant]] in June 1957, following graduation from [[Auburn University]]. His later military education included the [[Command and General Staff College]] and the [[Naval War College]].

Mundy's early assignments included service in the [[2nd Marine Regiment (United States)|2nd Marine Regiment]], [[2nd Marine Division (United States)|2nd Marine Division]]; duty aboard the [[aircraft carrier]] {{USS|Tarawa|CV-40}} and the [[cruiser]] {{USS|Little Rock|CLG-4}}; instructor at [[The Basic School]]; and as [[Officer Selection Officer]], [[Raleigh, North Carolina]]. In 1966–67, Mundy served in [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]] as operations and [[executive officer]] of the [[3rd Battalion, 26th Marines|3rd Battalion]], [[26th Marine Regiment (United States)|26th Marines]], [[3rd Marine Division (United States)|3rd Marine Division]], and as an [[military intelligence|intelligence]] officer in the Headquarters, [[III Marine Amphibious Force]].

After the Vietnam War, Mundy's principal assignments were:
*[[Aide de Camp]] to the [[Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps]]
*Inspector & Instructor, 4th Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Miami, Florida
*Commanding Officer, [[2nd Battalion, 4th Marines]], 3rd Marine Division.
*Plans Officer, [[Headquarters Marine Corps]]
*Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, [[2nd Marine Division (United States)|2nd Marine Division]]
*Chief of Staff, Sixth Marine Amphibious Brigade
*Commanding Officer, [[2nd Marine Regiment (United States)|2nd Marine Regiment]], 2nd Marine Division from 27 March 1981 - 30 April 1982 and 36th and 38th Marine Amphibious Units.

Following advancement to [[Brigadier General (United States)|brigadier general]] in April 1982, Mundy's assignments were:
*Director of Personnel Procurement, Headquarters Marine Corps
*Commanding General, Landing Force Training Command, [[United States Atlantic Fleet]], and Commanding General, [[4th Marine Amphibious Brigade]]. In late February and early March 1986, 2nd/4th Marines deployed to Nordland and Troms counties of Norway, near Evenes and Brøstadbotn, as the main US ski-mobile maneuver element of the 4th Marine Amphibious Brigade commanded by then Brigadier General Carl E. Mundy Jr., taking a leading role in the multi-national NATO winter exercise, "Anchor Express". The wintry, subfreezing weather, unprecedented level of snow, and the rugged terrain in the operating area of "Anchor Express" astride Salangenfjord, Faksfjorden and Lavangenfjord tested 2/4's ski-borne Marines to their limits. Such was the deep snow, extremely steep mountains in fjord country and gusty subzero winds that on 5 March 1986, a devastating avalanche in Vassdalen, Nordland, struck 31 fellow-Norwegian soldiers, killing sixteen engineers from the elite Norwegian Army unit [[Brigade North]], many of whose soldiers operating with 2/4 during the exercise. The Vassdalen avalanche was Norway's worst disaster involving the military since the [[German invasion of Norway]] (1940). As a result, Norway went into mourning and the force-on-force exercise prematurely ended.
*Advanced to Major General in April 1986
*Director of Operations, Plans, Policies and Operations Department, Headquarters Marine Corps
*Advanced to Lieutenant General in March 1988
*Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps; Operations Deputy to the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]]
*Commanding General of the [[Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic]], the [[II Marine Expeditionary Force]], the Allied Command Atlantic Marine Striking Force, and designated to command Fleet Marine Forces which might be employed in Europe
*Promoted to General on July 1, 1991
*[[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]] from July 1, 1991, to June 30, 1995

===Remarks on minority officers===
In an October 31, 1993, segment on the [[CBS]] program ''[[60 Minutes]]'' on the dearth of minority promotions in the U.S. Marine Corps, General Mundy was quoted as saying, "In the military skills, we find that the minority officers do not shoot as well as the non-minorities. They don't swim as well. And when you give them a compass and send them across the terrain at night in a land navigation exercise, they don't do as well at that sort of thing."<ref name=60Minutes1999>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1999/06/02/60II/main4800.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825124502/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1999/06/02/60II/main4800.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 25, 2009|title=A Few Good Men|work=[[60 Minutes]] |publisher=CBS News |date=2 June 1999}}</ref> Mundy, noted for being blunt, though possibly the "victim of selective editing", apologized for "any offense that may have been taken" from his remarks.<ref name=NYT>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE1DD1F30F930A35752C1A965958260&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fOrganizations%2fM%2fMarine%20Corps|title= Apology for Remarks On Minority Marines|date=November 3, 1993 |work=New York Times}}</ref> According to ''[[The Times]]'', the general elaborated on this question at a 1993 commemoration of the [[Battle of Iwo Jima]], when commenting on [[Ira Hayes]], he said "Were Ira Hayes here today ... I would tell him that although my words on another occasion have given the impression that I believe some Marines ... because of their color ... are not as capable as other Marines ... that those were not the thoughts of my mind ... and that they are not the thoughts of my heart.<ref name=SeattleTimes_Thompson_19931128>{{cite news|access-date=22 February 2009|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19931128/1734142/commandant-of-marine-corps-doesnt-mince-words----mundys-comments-wonderfully-blunt-or-just-insensitive|work=[[Seattle Times]] |date=28 November 1993|title=Commandant Of Marine Corps Doesn't Mince Words – Mundy's Comments: Wonderfully Blunt Or Just Insensitive?|first=Mark |last=Thompson}}</ref><ref name=TimesOnline>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,2089-2415491,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505142811/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,2089-2415491,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-05-05 |title=''The Times'' |location=London |first1=Anushka |last1=Asthana |first2=Richard |last2=Ford |first3=Roland |last3=Watson }}</ref>

===Position on married Marines===
Mundy issued an order in 1993 to cut down (and eventually eliminate) the recruitment category for married Marines; the order was rescinded following a public outcry.

===Opposition to gay people serving in the military===
Mundy was an outspoken opponent of allowing gay people to serve in the [[Military of the United States|military]]. As a compromise with others who were less strongly opposed, Mundy shaped the "[[Don't ask, don't tell]]" (DADT) policy,<ref name="Yardley2014">{{cite news |last=Yardley |first=William |date=April 9, 2014 |title=Gen. Carl E. Mundy Jr., Outspoken Marine Corps Leader, Dies at 78 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/09/us/gen-carl-e-mundy-jr-outspoken-marine-corps-commandant-dies-at-78.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 7, 2021}}</ref> a 1993 law stating that self-identified homosexuals are not [[Sexual orientation and military service|eligible for military service]]. Mundy distributed copies of ''[[The Gay Agenda]]'', a 1992 video asserting that homosexuality is an unnatural sickness, to the other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in an effort to persuade them.<ref>{{cite news |last=Colker |first=David |date=February 22, 1993 |title=Anti-Gay Video Highlights Church's Agenda |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-02-22-mn-444-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 7, 2021}}</ref> In a January 1993 meeting with President Clinton and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mundy said that those who admit to being gay or who associate with Gay Pride "will have a negative effect" and that it "fractures teamwork." For a person to "proclaim: I'm gay" is the "same as I'm KKK, Nazi, rapist."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/10/politics/clinton-documents/index.html?hpt=hp_t2|title=Clinton presidential documents cover Kagan, gays, email - CNNPolitics.com|author=Eric Bradner, CNN|date=10 October 2014|work=CNN|access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref>

Mundy was signatory to an open letter delivered to [[President of the United States|President]] [[Barack Obama]] and [[Member of Congress|Members of Congress]] expressing continued support for DADT.<ref>[http://www.cmrlink.org/HMilitary.asp?docID=350 "Homosexuals in the Military"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720025044/http://cmrlink.org/HMilitary.asp?docID=350 |date=2009-07-20 }}, Center for Military Readiness, April 9, 2009.</ref> The letter said in part, "We believe that imposing this burden on our men and women in uniform would undermine recruiting and retention, impact leadership at all echelons, have adverse effects on the willingness of parents who lend their sons and daughters to military service, and eventually break the All-Volunteer Force."<ref>[http://cmrlink.org/CMRDocuments/FlagOfficersLetterPOTUS-033109.pdf "Flag and General Officers for the Military"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423205330/http://cmrlink.org/CMRDocuments/FlagOfficersLetterPOTUS-033109.pdf |date=2009-04-23 }}, April 9, 2009.</ref> However unlike the 34th commandant, General [[James T. Conway]], Mundy has said that if the restriction were repealed the troops should not be segregated.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100825173241/http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/08/24/4960859-marines-will-still-be-hammering-afghanistan-next-year Marines will still be 'hammering' Afghanistan next year]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123412229|title=What Would It Take To End 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'?|date=5 February 2010|work=NPR.org|access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref>

==Awards and decorations==
Mundy's awards include:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gen Carl Epting Mundy, Jr. |url=https://militaryhallofhonor.com/honoree-record.php?id=410 |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=militaryhallofhonor.com}}</ref>
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="4" align="center"style="text-align:center;"|[[File:U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia-redone.png|200px]]
|-
|colspan="4"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Coast Guard Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|width=106|ribbon=Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|width=106|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|other_device=nv}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Bronze Star Medal ribbon with "V" device, 3rd award.svg|width=106|type=award-star}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|width=106|type=award-star|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|other_device=nv}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|width=106|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|type=award-star}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Combat Action Ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=U.S. Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|width=106|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Ribbon (With Two Bronze Stars).jpg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=5|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Vietnamese Gallantry Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Legion Honneur Commandeur ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[File:ARG Order of the Liberator San Martin - Grand Cross BAR.png|106px]]
|[[File:Den kongelige norske fortjenstorden kommandør med stjerne stripe.svg|106px]]
|[[File:NLD Medal of Merit, Silver ribbon bar.png|106px]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=106}}
|[[File:DSM_Colombian_Marine_Corps.png|106px]]
|[[File:ESP Cruz Merito Naval (Distintivo Blanco) pasador.svg|106px]]
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|width=106|ribbon=Order of the Polar Star - Ribbon bar.svg}}
|-
|colspan="2"|[[File:USMC Rifle Expert badge.png|150px]]
|colspan="2"|[[File:USMC Pistol Expert badge.png|150px]]
|-
|colspan="4"|[[File:Joint Chiefs of Staff seal.svg|center|125px]]
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
!Badge
|colspan="7"|[[Parachutist Badge (United States)#Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia|Marine Corps Parachutist badge]]
|-
!1st Row
| colspan="4" |[[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]]
|-
!2nd Row
|[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]
|[[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)|Army Distinguished Service Medal]]
|[[Air Force Distinguished Service Medal]]
|[[Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal]]
|-
!3rd Row
|[[Defense Superior Service Medal]]
|[[Legion of Merit]] w/ [[valor device]] & 1 [[Award Star|award star]]
|[[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] w/ valor device
|[[Purple Heart|Purple Heart Medal]]
|-
!4th Row
|[[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]]
|[[Commendation Medal|Navy Commendation Medal]] w/ valor device & 1 award star
|[[Navy Achievement Medal]]
|[[Combat Action Ribbon]] w/ 1 award star
|-
!5th Row
|[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Navy Presidential Unit Citation]]
|[[Navy Unit Commendation]]
|[[National Defense Service Medal]] w/ 2 [[Service star|service stars]]
|[[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]]
|-
!6th Row
|[[Vietnam Service Medal]] w/ 2 service stars
|[[Sea Service Ribbon]] w/ 5 service stars
|[[Vietnam Gallantry Cross|Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry]] w/ 1 gold star
|[[Vietnam Gallantry Cross|Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation]]
|-
!7th Row
|French [[Legion of Honor]], Grade of Commander
|Argentinian [[Order of the Liberator General San Martin]], Grand Cross
|[[Royal Norwegian Order of Merit]], Grand Officer
|[[Decoration of Merit|Netherlands Medal of Merit]] in silver
|-
!8th Row
|[[Vietnam Campaign Medal]]
|Distinguished Service Medal of the Colombian Marine Corps
|[[Order of Naval Merit (Spain)|Spanish White Cross of Naval Merit]]
|Swedish [[Order of the Polar Star]]
|-
!Badges
| colspan="2"|[[Badges of the United States Marine Corps|Rifle Expert Badge]]
| colspan="5"|[[Badges of the United States Marine Corps|Pistol Expert Badge]]
|-
!Badge
|colspan="7"|[[Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge]]
|}
*Mundy also held several awards of both the Rifle and Pistol Expert Badges.
*Note: The gold [[Parachutist Badge (United States)|US Navy Parachute Rigger badge]] was worn unofficially by USMC personnel in place of US Army parachutist badge from 1942 to 1963 before it officially became the Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist insignia on July 12, 1963, per BuPers Notice 1020. Members of the Marine Corps who attended jump school before 1963 were issued the silver Army parachutist badge but may be depicted wearing the gold Navy Parachute Rigger badge as it was common practice during this time period.

==Personal life==
[[File:The 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC), Gen. James F. Amos, right, and Marine Corps First Lady Bonnie Amos, left, greet the 30th CMC, retired Gen. Carl E. Mundy, Jr., prior to a breakfast in Mundy's honor 130509-M-LU710-007.jpg|thumb|right|Mundy in May 2013]]
Mundy was married and had three children – two sons and a daughter. Both sons were United States Marine Corps officers. One, [[Carl E. Mundy III]], is a retired Marine Corps lieutenant general.<ref name=NVD>{{cite web|access-date=20 January 2015 |url=https://www.cusnc.navy.mil/Leadership/ctf51_59/ |title=Major General Carl E. Mundy, III Commander, Task Force 51 |publisher=U.S. Navy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120154437/http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/leadership/ctf51_59.html |archive-date=20 January 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/GOSA/biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID%3D2982%26PERSON_TYPE%3DGeneral |title=Official Biography: Brigadier General Carl e. Mundy, III |access-date=2011-10-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401234012/https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/GOSA/biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID=2982&PERSON_TYPE=General |archive-date=2012-04-01 }}</ref>

==Death==
Mundy died of [[Merkel cell carcinoma]] at his home in [[Alexandria, Virginia]], on April 2, 2014, at the age of 78.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://misguidedchildren.com/veterans-affairs/2014/04/commandant-carl-mundy-passes-away/18151 |title=Uncle Sams Misguided Children – Commandant Carl Mundy passes away |access-date=2014-04-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717034753/http://misguidedchildren.com/veterans-affairs/2014/04/commandant-carl-mundy-passes-away/18151 |archive-date=2014-07-17 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20140403/NEWS/304030063 |title=Gen. Carl Mundy, 30th commandant of the Marine Corps, dies | Marine Corps Times | marinecorpstimes.com |access-date=2014-04-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406195701/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20140403/NEWS/304030063 |archive-date=2014-04-06 }}</ref> A memorial service was held for Mundy on April 12 at the [[Marine Corps War Memorial]] in [[Arlington, Virginia]].<ref name=ALMAR00914/> His funeral and burial service, at First United Methodist Church and Greenhill Cemetery respectively, were held on April 19 in [[Waynesville, North Carolina]].<ref name=ALMAR00914>{{cite web|title=Passing of and Services for General Carl E. Mundy, Jr., 30th Commandant of the Marine Corps|url=https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/896318/passing-of-and-services-for-general-carl-e-mundy-jr-30th-commandant-of-the-mari/|date=April 7, 2014|work=ALMARS Number: 009/14|publisher=United States Marine Corps}}</ref><ref name=FuneralService>{{youTube|H4pm8W_PKGg|title=General Carl Mundy Funeral Service, Commandant of the Marine Corps}}. Published April 27, 2014. Accessed 2018-02-28.</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
*{{cite web|title=Official Biography: General Carl E. Mundy Jr.|url=https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/GOSA/Biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID=244&PERSON_TYPE=General|publisher=United States Marine Corps|access-date=9 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220042804/https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/GOSA/Biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID=244&PERSON_TYPE=General|archive-date=20 February 2012}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite web
|access-date = 22 February 2009
|url = http://www.heritage.org/research/nationalsecurity/hl475.cfm
|date = November 1, 1993
|title = The Role of the Marine Corps in the Post-Cold War Era
|first = General Carl E. Jr.
|last = Mundy
|work = Heritage Lecture #475
|publisher = Heritage Foundation
|url-status = unfit
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090219221518/http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/HL475.cfm
|archive-date = 19 February 2009
}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Carl Epting Mundy, Jr.}}
*{{C-SPAN|21780}}

{{S-start}}
{{S-mil}}
{{Succession box |before = [[Alfred M. Gray Jr.]] |title = [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]] |years = 1991–1995 |after = [[Charles C. Krulak]]}}
{{S-end}}

{{US Marine Corps navbox}}
{{CMC}}
{{General Dynamics}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mundy, Carl E. Jr.}}
[[Category:1935 births]]
[[Category:2014 deaths]]
[[Category:General Dynamics]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps Commandants]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps generals]]
[[Category:Auburn University alumni]]
[[Category:Naval War College alumni]]
[[Category:American recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of Naval Merit]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the Liberator General San Martin]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Decoration of Merit]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Atlanta]]
[[Category:United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni]]
[[Category:Deaths from Merkel-cell carcinoma]]

USS Okinawa (LPH-3)

2025-11-02T02:45:30Z

2603:8000:D400:C2:B15A:5896:C351:12AF: /* Awards, citations, and campaign ribbons */

{{short description|Iwo Jima–class amphibious assault ship}}
{{other ships|USS Okinawa}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=June 2012}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:USS Okinawa (LPH-3) in the Persian Gulf in 1987.JPEG|300px|USS ''Okinawa'' (LPH-3) in the Persian Gulf in 1987]]
|Ship caption=USS ''Okinawa'' in the [[Persian Gulf]] in 1987
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|(1992)}}
|Ship name=''Okinawa''
|Ship namesake=[[Battle of Okinawa]]
|Ship ordered=24 October 1958
|Ship awarded=
|Ship builder=[[Philadelphia Naval Shipyard]]
|Ship original cost=
|Ship yard number=
|Ship way number=
|Ship laid down=1 April 1960
|Ship launched=19 August 1961
|Ship sponsor=
|Ship christened=
|Ship completed=
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=14 April 1962
|Ship decommissioned=17 December 1992
|Ship refit=
|Ship struck=17 December 1992
|Ship identification=*[[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: NOKI
*{{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Oscar}}{{ICS|Kilo}}{{ICS|India}}
*[[Hull number]]: LPH-3
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship honors=
|Ship fate=[[Target ship|Sunk as target]], 6 June 2002
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=[[File:USS Okinawa (LPH-3) insignia, 1962.png|150px]]
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class={{sclass|Iwo Jima|amphibious assault ship}}
|Ship displacement=11,000 tons
|Ship length={{convert|592|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|84|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{convert|27|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship power=
|Ship propulsion=*2 × {{convert|600|psi|MPa|abbr=on}} boilers,
*one geared steam turbine,
*one shaft,
*22,000 shaft horsepower
*(16 [[Megawatt|MW]])
|Ship speed={{convert|22|kn|km/h|lk=in}}
|Ship range=
|Ship boats=
|Ship capacity=
|Ship troops=
|Ship complement=667
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=*'''Initially:'''
*2 × 2 [[3-inch/50-caliber gun|{{convert|3|in|mm|0|adj=on}} / 50 caliber]] DP guns,
*8 cell [[Sea Sparrow]] BPDMS launchers,
*'''Later:'''
*2 × [[Phalanx CIWS]]
|Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=25 helicopters
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

'''USS ''Okinawa'' (LPH–3)''' was the second [[Iwo Jima class amphibious assault ship|''Iwo Jima''-class]] [[amphibious assault ship]] of the [[United States Navy]]. She was the second Navy ship assigned the name "Okinawa", in honor of the [[World War II]] [[Battle of Okinawa]].

== Construction ==
''Okinawa'' was laid down on 1 April 1960 (15th anniversary of the invasion of [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]]) by the [[Philadelphia Naval Shipyard]], [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]; [[ship naming and launching|launched]] on 19 August 1961; sponsored by Mrs. John L. McClellan, wife of [[Arkansas]] [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[John Little McClellan|John L. McClellan]]; and [[ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 14 April 1962.

== History ==

===Early career===
Following commissioning and sea trials, ''Okinawa'' departed Philadelphia on 20 June 1962 for her [[homeport]], [[Naval Station Norfolk|Norfolk, Va.]], where she spent a month fitting out. After a six-week shakedown cruise out of [[Guantanamo Bay Naval Base|Guantanamo Bay, Cuba]] and another month in Norfolk, the amphibious assault ship began participation in her first fleet exercise in the [[Caribbean]], 15 October. Shortly thereafter the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]] arose and ''Okinawa'' remained in the area, lending force to the United States' stand, until 3 December, when she returned to Norfolk.

[[File:USS Mississinewa (AO-144) refuels USS Okinawa (LPH-3) and USS Vulcan (AR-5) in 1962.jpg|thumb|left|{{USS|Mississinewa|AO-144|2}} refuels ''Okinawa'' and {{USS|Vulcan|AR-5|2}}, in 1962.]]

The first half of 1963 was spent in availability at the [[Philadelphia Naval Shipyard|Philadelphia]] and [[Norfolk Naval Shipyard]]s and further trial operations in the Caribbean and out of Norfolk. On 9 July, ''Okinawa'' began her first formal Caribbean deployment, returning to Norfolk on 1 October and spending the remainder of that year and the first part of the next in that area. During June 1964, she sailed to [[Newport, Rhode Island|Newport]], [[Rhode Island]] and [[New York City]] for the [[1964 New York World's Fair|World's Fair]]. On 7 October, she left on her first trip to European waters, for operation "Steel Pike I," an amphibious exercise off the coast of [[Spain]]. After a stop in [[France]] and a goodwill visit to [[Plymouth]], [[England]], ''Okinawa'' arrived back in Norfolk at the end of November.

===Dominican Republic===
In April 1965, while participating in an exercise off [[Puerto Rico]], ''Okinawa'' was alerted and sent to an area off the [[Dominican Republic]] to act as medical evacuation ship with HMM-263 (Reinf) and the [[1st Battalion 2nd Marines|1st Bn., 2d Marines]] during the [[Dominican crisis]]. The mission concluded on 29 May. Then, following the end of her deployment, she proceeded via Norfolk to Philadelphia for overhaul. In April 1966 she returned to Norfolk and began her third Caribbean deployment on 13 June. ''Okinawa'' was transferred to the [[U.S. Pacific Fleet|Pacific Fleet]]; she set sail for the West Coast on 24 January 1967 and arrived at [[San Diego, California|San Diego]], her new [[home port]], on 8 February.

===Vietnam and Apollo spacecraft recovery===
''Okinawa'' left on 10 March for her first deployment off [[Vietnam]]. On 13 April, while sailing from ''Okinawa'' to [[Taiwan]], the ship was diverted by a distress call, and the next day rescued all 38 persons from the grounded Panamanian vessel ''Silver Peak'' near the [[Senkaku Islands|Sento Shosho Islands]]. While off Vietnam, ''Okinawa'' was a mobile base from which a well-equipped force of marines could quickly strike via helicopters at the Communist insurgents. She returned to San Diego on 5 December.

On 4 April 1968, after an intensive period of special training, ''Okinawa'' recovered the unmanned [[Apollo 6]] space capsule 380 miles north of [[Kauai]], [[Hawaii]]. With further exercises and upkeep, she conducted her second Westpac deployment from 2 November to 26 June 1969, when she arrived in San Diego for leave and upkeep.

On 17 May 1970, ''Okinawa'' delivered ten [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A-4K Skyhawk]] single-seaters, and four TA-4K two-seaters to New Zealand, after their purchase for the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]].<ref name=Treweek>{{cite web |url=http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/skyhawk.html |title=McDonnell Douglas (T)A-4K Skyhawk: Background |last=Treweek |first=Phillip |work=kiwiaircraftimages.com |access-date=23 March 2010}}</ref> The ship survived a severe storm after leaving Hawaii and the captain considered dumping the aircraft into the sea to save his ship but the storm abated.<ref name=Greener>{{cite book |url=http://press.anu.edu.au/sdsc/timing/mobile_devices/ch05.html |title=Timing is Everything: The Politics and Processes of New Zealand Defence Acquisition Making |last=Greener |first=Peter |work=Australian National University |year=2009 |doi=10.22459/TE.10.2009 |isbn=9781921536649 |access-date=30 April 2015 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

In 1970 ''Okinawa'' was awarded the [[Philippine Presidential Unit Citation]] for her humanitarian assistance to the people of Lagonoy Gulf, Republic of the [[Philippines]], who had been devastated by Typhoon Jean in October 1970.

On 7 August 1971, ''Okinawa'' was the [[recovery ship]] for the [[Apollo 15]] spacecraft and crew of the fourth crewed [[Apollo program]] lunar landing mission.

===The Downfall of Republic of Cambodia ===
In April 1975, ''Okinawa'' participated in [[Operation Eagle Pull]], the evacuation of Phnom Penh, Cambodia and [[Operation Frequent Wind]], the evacuation of [[Saigon, Vietnam]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19980703151752/http://www.history.navy.mil/seairland/chap5.htm ''By Sea, Air and Land: An Illustrated History of the U.S. Navy and the War in Southeast Asia'' Chapter 5: "The Final Curtain, 1973–1975"]</ref>

===Persian Gulf===
From 7 October 1987 to 7 April 1988, ''Okinawa'' was deployed to the [[Persian Gulf]] in support of mine sweeping operations and MAGTF 1-88. She began her deployment heading West and continued West, circumnavigating the world.

''Okinawa'' was the command ship of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit in August 1990 as part of a WestPac deployment when it was diverted to the Persian Gulf in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the [[Gulf War]]. Helicopters were launched as a diversion during the start of the ground phase of the war.

===Fate===
''Okinawa'' was [[ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] and stricken from the ''[[Naval Vessel Register]]'' on 17 December 1992. She was transferred to [[MARAD]] and laid up in the [[National Defense Reserve Fleet]], in [[Suisun Bay]], [[Benicia, California|Benicia, Calif.]]

The ship was sunk as a target in a COMSUBPAC ship sinking exercise ([[SINKEX]]) on 6 June 2002, off the coast of [[Southern California]], in {{convert|2,020|fathom|m}} at {{coord|031|27|N|119|42|W |region:US_scale:3000000 |display=inline,title}}. After being hit by several [[AGM-65 Maverick|Maverick]], [[Harpoon missile]]s, and general-purpose bombs, the ex-''Okinawa'' was finally sunk by a [[Mark 48 torpedo|Mk 48]] [[torpedo]] fired by the [[USS Portsmouth (SSN-707)|USS ''Portsmouth'']].

== Awards, citations, and campaign ribbons ==
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
| colspan="3" align="center" |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon= Combat Action Ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}} {{ribbon devices|number=4|type=service-star|ribbon=U.S. Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon, 1st award.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=4|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=7|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991–2016).svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Humanitarian Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Presidential Unit Citation (Philippines).svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon, with 60- clasp.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|}

* Top Row: [[Combat Action Ribbon]] (2) / [[Navy Unit Commendation]] (5)
* Second Row: [[Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation]] (3) / [[Navy Battle "E" Ribbon]] / [[Navy Expeditionary Medal]] (1: Cuba, 2: Iran/Indian Ocean)
* Third Row: [[National Defense Service Medal]] / [[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]] (1: Cuba, 1: Dominican Republic, 1: Op. Eagle Pull, 1:Op. Frequent Wind, 2: Persian Gulf Op. Earnest Will) / [[Vietnam Service Medal]] (7)
* Fourth Row: [[Southwest Asia Service Medal]] / [[Humanitarian Service Medal]] (1: Eagle Pull, 1: Frequent Wind) / [[Philippine Presidential Unit Citation]]
* Fifth Row: [[Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross]] Unit Citation (5) / [[Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal]] / [[Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)]]

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths=180 caption="USS ''Okinawa'' Lifecycle">
File:RIM-7 Sea Sparrow launch from USS Okinawa (LPH-3), in 1970.jpg|USS ''Okinawa'' fires a [[RIM-7 Sea Sparrow|RIM-7 Sea Sparrow Missile]] in 1970.
File:RIM-7 Sea Sparrow launch from USS Okinawa (LPH-3) on 9 January 1970.jpg|USS ''Okinawa'' fires a [[RIM-7 Sea Sparrow|RIM-7 Sea Sparrow Missile]] on 9 January 1970.
File:South Vietnamese helicopter is pushed over the side of the USS Okinawa during Operation Frequent Wind, April 1975.jpg|South Vietnamese helicopter is pushed over the side of USS ''Okinawa'' during [[Operation Frequent Wind]] in April 1975.
File:Saukham Koy arrives on USS Okinawa.jpg|[[Peter Khoy Saukam|General Saukham Khoy]] arrives on board USS ''Okinawa'', 12 April 1975.
File:USS Okinawa (LPH-3), 1982.jpg|USS ''Okinawa'' underway in 1982.
File:USS Okinawa (LPH-3) in the Persian Gulf in 1987.JPEG|USS ''Okinawa'' in early 1987.
File:3 inch guns aboard USS Okinawa (LPH-3), 1987.jpg|[[3"/50 caliber gun|Dual 3inch 50cal gun]] of USS ''Okinawa'' in 1987.
File:Mk 16 Phalanx CIWS aboard USS Okinawa (LPH-3), 1987.jpg|USS ''Okinawa'''s [[Phalanx CIWS|Mk16 Phalanx CIWS]] in 1987.
File:USS Okinawa (LPH-3) arrives at San Diego 1991.JPEG|USS ''Okinawa'' arrives at [[San Diego]] in 1991.
File:Kuwaiti SA330 lands on USS Okinawa (LPH-3) 1992.JPEG|[[Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma|Kuwaiti SA330]] lands on USS ''Okinawa'' in 1992.
File:Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk is wrapped in protective covering prior to being loaded aboard USS Okinawa (LPH-3) at NAS Cubi Point, 4 June 1992 (6480685).jpeg|[[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk]] prior being loaded into USS ''Okinawa'' at [[Naval Air Station Cubi Point|NAS Cubi Point]] on 4 June 1992.
File:USS Okinawa LPH-3.jpg|Aft flight deck. Photo taken in late 87 or early 88. HM-14's RH-53D and HMLA-169's AH-1W Cobras
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist}}
* {{DANFS}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|USS Okinawa (LPH-3)}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080919023832/http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/o2/okinawa.htm history.navy.mil: USS ''Okinawa'']

{{Iwo Jima class amphibious assault ship}}
{{2002 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Okinawa (LPH-3)}}
[[Category:1960 ships]]
[[Category:Cold War amphibious warfare vessels of the United States]]
[[Category:Gulf War ships of the United States]]
[[Category:Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Ships sunk as targets]]
[[Category:Space capsule recovery ships]]
[[Category:Vietnam War amphibious warfare vessels of the United States]]

USS Oklahoma City (CL-91)

2025-11-02T02:44:59Z

2603:8000:D400:C2:B15A:5896:C351:12AF: /* Awards */

{{short description|Light cruiser of the United States Navy}}
{{other ships|USS Oklahoma City}}

{{Use American English|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5) underway 1974.jpg
|Ship caption=USS ''Oklahoma City'' (CLG-5) in the [[Sea of Japan]], August 1974.
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag= {{USN flag|1979}}
|Ship name= ''Oklahoma City''
|Ship namesake=City of [[Oklahoma City]], Oklahoma
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=[[Cramp Shipbuilding Co.]], [[Philadelphia]]
|Ship yard number=534
|Ship laid down= 8 December 1942
|Ship launched= 20 February 1944
|Ship sponsor=Mrs. Anton H. Classen
|Ship commissioned= 22 December 1944
|Ship decommissioned= 30 June 1947
|Ship refit= 1957–1960
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=yes
|Ship recommissioned= 7 September 1960
|Ship decommissioned= 15 December 1979
|Ship reclassified=*CLG-5, 23 May 1957
*CG-5, 1 July 1975
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship struck= 15 December 1979
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship motto=
|Ship identification=*[[Hull classification symbol#Surface combatant type|Hull symbol]]:CL-91
*Hull symbol:CLG-5
*Hull symbol:CG-5
*[[International Code of Signals|Code letters]]:NBWR
*{{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Bravo}}{{ICS|Whiskey}}{{ICS|Romeo}}
|Ship honors= [[Image:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]] 2 × [[Battle star#Navy warships|battle stars]] for [[World War II]]
|Ship fate=Sunk as target with a torpedo by Republic of [[Chang Bogo-class submarine|Korea Submarine ''Lee Chun'' (SS 062)]] on 27 March 1999
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=[[File:USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5) patch.svg|150px]]
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption= (as built)
|Ship class={{sclass|Cleveland|cruiser|0}} [[Light cruiser]]
|Ship displacement=*{{convert|11744|LT|t|abbr=on}} (standard)
*{{convert|14131|LT|t|abbr=on}} (max)
|Ship length=*{{convert|610|ft|1|in|m|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|oa]]
*{{convert|608|ft|m|abbr=on}}[[Length between perpendiculars|pp]]
|Ship beam={{convert|66|ft|4|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft=*{{convert|25|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} (mean)
*{{convert|25|ft|m|abbr=on}} (max)
|Ship power=*4 × 634 psi [[Steam boiler]]s
*{{convert|100000|shp|kW|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=*4 × [[Steam turbine#Marine propulsion|geared turbines]]
*4 × [[Propeller|screw]]s
|Ship speed={{convert|32.5|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on}}
|Ship range={{convert|11000|nmi|km|-3|abbr=on}} @ {{convert|15|kn|mph km/h|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship complement=1,255 officers and enlisted
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=* 4 × triple [[6"/47 caliber Mark 16 gun|{{convert|6|in|mm|abbr=on}}/47]] [[caliber (artillery)|caliber]] Mark 16 guns
* 6 × dual [[5"/38 caliber gun|{{convert|5|in|mm|abbr=on}}/38 caliber]] [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft guns]]
* 4 × quad [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|{{convert|40|mm|in|abbr=on}} Bofors]] anti-aircraft guns
* 6 × dual {{convert|40|mm|in|abbr=on}} Bofors anti-aircraft guns
* 21 × single [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|{{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on}} Oerlikon]] anti-aircraft cannons
|Ship armor=*[[Armor belt|Belt]]: {{convert|3+1/2|-|5|in|mm|abbr=on}}
*[[Deck (ship)|Deck]]: {{convert|2|in|mm|abbr=on}}
*[[Barbette]]s: {{convert|6|in|mm|abbr=on}}
*[[Gun turret|Turret]]s: {{convert|1+1/2|-|6|in|mm|abbr=on}}
*[[Conning tower|Conning Tower]]: {{convert|2+1/4|-|5|in|mm|abbr=on}}
|Ship aircraft=4 × [[floatplane]]s
|Ship aircraft facilities=2 × [[stern]] [[Aircraft catapult|catapults]]
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=(1960 rebuild)
|Ship class={{sclass|Galveston|cruiser|0}} [[guided missile cruiser]]
|Ship range=
|Ship complement=1,426 officers and enlisted
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=* 1 × triple {{convert|6|in|mm|abbr=on}}/47 caliber Mark 16 guns
* 1 × dual {{convert|5|in|mm|abbr=on}}/38 caliber anti-aircraft guns in Mark 32 mount
* 1 × twin-rail Mark 7 [[RIM-8 Talos|Talos]] [[Surface to air missile|SAM]] launcher, 46 missiles
|Ship aircraft=*[[Kaman SH-2 Seasprite|Kaman SH-2B]] (1968–1972)
*[[Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King|Sea King]] (1975–) helicopter
*(Call Sign: Blackbeard 1)
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

'''USS ''Oklahoma City'' (CL-91/CLG-5/CG-5)''' was one of 27 [[United States Navy]] {{sclass|Cleveland|cruiser|0}} [[light cruiser]]s completed during or shortly after [[World War II]], and one of six to be converted to [[guided missile cruiser]]s. She was the first US Navy ship to be named for [[Oklahoma City|Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]]. Commissioned in late 1944, she participated in the latter part of the [[Pacific War]] in anti-aircraft screening and shore bombardment roles, for which she earned two [[battle star]]s. She then served a brief stint with the occupation force. Like all but one of her sister ships, she was retired in the post-war defense cutbacks, becoming part of the [[Pacific Reserve Fleet]] in 1947.

In the late 1950s she was converted to a {{sclass|Galveston|cruiser|0}} guided missile cruiser, which involved removing all her guns except for her forward {{convert|6|in|0|adj=on}} turret and {{convert|5|in|0|adj=on}} mount, and rebuilding her entire superstructure to accommodate the [[RIM-8 Talos|Talos]] missile system and [[flagship]] office spaces and accommodation. Like her three [[sister ship]]s ({{USS|Providence|CL-82|2}}, {{USS|Little Rock|CL-92|2}}, and {{USS|Springfield|CL-66|2}}) of the ''Cleveland''-class ships converted to missile ships, she was also extensively modified forward to become a flagship. This involved removal of most of her forward armament to allow for a greatly enlarged superstructure. She was recommissioned in 1960 as '''CLG-5''' (and in 1975 redesignated '''CG-5''').

In her second career she served extensively in the Pacific, playing a prominent role in the [[Vietnam War]], including participation in the evacuation of Saigon. ''Oklahoma City'' was worked hard in shore bombardment duty during the war. As she was extensively well fitted with flagship accommodations and communications, there were plans for an extensive overhaul (of both her and ''Little Rock'') starting in 1977. The ship would have received two 8-cell NATO [[RIM-7 Sea Sparrow|Sea Sparrow]] surface-to-air missile (SAM) launchers and two Vulcan Phalanx [[CIWS]] systems, in addition to extensive rehabilitation of her propulsion systems, electrical systems, her hull and superstructure. This would have given her an additional 10 years of service life. While this work package was formally planned, and funding was appropriated, it was diverted elsewhere. She received enough maintenance to soldier on for a few more years and was decommissioned for the last time in December 1979. At the time of her decommissioning, she was the last ''Cleveland''-class ship in service, and had served longer (a total of 21 years and 10 months) than any other ship of that class.

''Oklahoma City'' was sunk by a torpedo fired from [[Jang Bogo-class submarine|ROKS ''Lee Chun'']] during SINKEX exercise, Tandem Thrust 99, on 26 March 1999.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF7xu8PnwJ8 |title=RIMPAC 미해군 핵항모 등 15척 전멸, 세계 최강 반열에 등극한 한국 해군의 잠수함 |date=2020-09-18 |last=EBSDocumentary (EBS 다큐) |access-date=2025-07-21 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

==Construction and commissioning==
''Oklahoma City'' was [[Keel laying|laid down]] on 8 December 1942, by [[Cramp Shipbuilding]] of [[Philadelphia]]; [[Ship naming and launching|launched]] on 20 February 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Anton H. Classen; and [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 22 December 1944.<ref name="DANFS">{{cite web | url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/o/oklahoma_city.html | title=Oklahoma City I (CL-91) | publisher=Naval History and Heritage Command | date=19 August 2015 |access-date=12 December 2015}}</ref>

==Service history==

===World War II===
[[File:USS Oklahoma City (CL-91) underway c1945.jpg|thumb|left|''Oklahoma City'' during World War II.]]
[[File:USS Oklahoma City (CL-91) stern with SC Seahawks c1945.jpg|alt=USS Oklahoma City (CL-91) stern with SC Seahawks c. 1945|left|thumb|USS ''Oklahoma City'' (CL-91) stern with SC Seahawks c. 1945]]
[[File:USS Oklahoma City (CL-91) at sea c1945.jpg|alt=USS Oklahoma City (CL-91) at sea c. 1945|left|thumb|USS ''Oklahoma City'' (CL-91) at sea c. 1945]]
Following [[shakedown cruise|shakedown]], ''Oklahoma City'' transited the [[Panama Canal]] and reported to Commander Cruisers Pacific Fleet (ComCruPac) for duty, arriving at [[Pearl Harbor]] on 2 May 1945. She conducted local operations until 22 May, when she sailed for [[Ulithi]], thence to rendezvous on 6 June, with [[Fast Carrier Task Force|Carrier Task Group 38.1]] for operations in support of the [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] campaign. For the rest of June, and into July, she screened [[United States Third Fleet|3rd Fleet]] carriers during their intensified air operations against [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] forces. On 18 July, she formed a bombardment group with other cruisers and destroyers, then rejoined the carrier task group for continued action against the Japanese home islands. At the end of hostilities, she continued to patrol off the coast of Japan and it was not until 10 September, after seventy-two days of continuous steaming, that she finally entered [[Tokyo Bay]]. ''Oklahoma City'' remained on occupation duty until relieved on 30 January 1946, when she departed for the United States. She arrived at [[San Francisco]] on 14 February, where she remained until 15 August, when she entered the [[Mare Island Navy Yard]] for inactivation. On 30 June 1947, she was placed out of commission in reserve, assigned to the San Francisco Group, US Pacific Reserve Fleet.<ref name="DANFS" />

===Conversion to ''Galveston''-class cruiser===
{{stack|[[File:USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5) at sea in the early 1960s.jpg|thumb|''Oklahoma City'' in 1960.]]}}
On 7 March 1957, ''Oklahoma City'' arrived at the [[Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation|Bethlehem Steel Corp.]] Pacific Coast Yard, San Francisco, where conversion to a {{sclass|Galveston|cruiser|0}} [[guided missile cruiser|guided missile light cruiser]] commenced on 21 May, her hull classification and number being changed two days later to '''CLG-5'''. Her conversion having completed on 31 August 1960, she was towed to [[Hunters Point Naval Shipyard|Hunter's Point]] where she recommissioned on 7 September.<ref name="DANFS" />

During her shakedown training, ''Oklahoma City'' became the first combatant unit of the [[US Pacific Fleet]] to fire a [[RIM-8 Talos|Talos]] guided missile successfully. Following shakedown, she participated in several major training exercises while serving as [[flagship]] for Cruiser Division 3 (CruDiv 3) and Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla 9 (CruDesFlot 9), then departed 1 December, for a six-month deployment in WestPac. She arrived in [[United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka|Yokosuka]], Japan, on 24 December, where, six days later, she became flagship for Commander, US [[7th Fleet]]. The ship participated in [[SEATO]] training operations, received two awards for operational excellence, and served as an ambassador of good will to several cities in the Far East. She then returned to [[Long Beach, California]], on 12 June 1962, and spent the next several months conducting local training operations and upkeep work. On 14 December, she entered the [[Long Beach Naval Shipyard]] for restricted availability followed by an extensive overhaul.<ref name="DANFS" />

===Vietnam===
In early 1964, ''Oklahoma City'' began refresher training in Southern California waters to prepare for a lengthy deployment, then departed for Yokosuka where she arrived on 7 July, to assume her duties again as 7th Fleet flagship. Shortly thereafter, [[North Vietnamese]] gunboats [[Gulf of Tonkin Incident|attacked a US destroyer]] in the [[Tonkin Gulf]] and ''Oklahoma City'' quickly began a 25-day alert in the Gulf. Training exercises and operational visits to various ports in the Far East followed, then in June 1965, she began gunfire support missions off [[South Vietnam]]. When the level of hostilities increased, she began to spend more and more time in the [[South China Sea]] and eventually participated in operations "[[Operation Piranha|Piranha]]", "[[Operation Masher#Operation Double Eagle|Double Eagle]]", "Deckhouse IV", and "Hastings II." After serving as 7th Fleet flagship for two and one-half years, ''Oklahoma City'' returned to [[San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard]] on 15 December 1966, for an overhaul.<ref name="DANFS" />

[[File:CLG-5 firing forward guns early 1970s.jpg|thumb|Performing fire support off Vietnam.]]
Following her yard period, she began refresher training in the Southern California operating area in July 1967, and continued those exercises and intermittent calls to West Coast ports until she deployed again to the Western Pacific (WestPac) 7 November 1968. She arrived at Yokosuka 20 December, and into August 1969, was again contributing to the strength of the 7th Fleet.<ref name="DANFS" /> The ship provided naval gunfire support for troops in South Vietnam, gunfire operations against coastal targets in [[North Vietnam]] and [[anti-aircraft]] operations in North Vietnam. In April 1969, ''Oklahoma City'' was sent to the [[Sea of Japan]] with [[Task Force 71|three carrier groups]] after North Korea [[EC-121 shootdown incident|shot down an EC-121 spy plane]].<ref name="ds129">{{cite web| url =http://www.willyvictor.com/History/Korean_Shootdown/Korea.html| title =Korea shootdown of Navy EC-121 in 1969| publisher =Willy Victor| access-date =2007-05-21| url-status=dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110718052949/http://www.willyvictor.com/History/Korean_Shootdown/Korea.html| archive-date =18 July 2011}} This site compiles information from ''[[Stars and Stripes (newspaper)|Pacific Stars and Stripes]]'', ''[[Washington Post]]'' articles, and ''Cryptolog'', a veteran's association newsletter.</ref>

As of 1 July 1969, ''Oklahoma City'' was under the administrative control of Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Force, US Pacific Fleet and [[Carrier Strike Group Eleven|Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla Nine]].<ref>[http://www.okieboat.com/History/CLG5%201969.pdf USS Oklahoma City Command History for the period 1 July through 31 December 1969], Command Organization and Relationship</ref> Both Commanders had their headquarters in San Diego, California. ''Oklahoma City'' was flagship and under the operational control of Commander Seventh Fleet. Also, while in the Western Pacific, ''Oklahoma City'' reported to Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Group Seventh Fleet for administrative purposes. As Flagship for Commander Seventh Fleet, ''Oklahoma City'' was designated flagship Group TG 70.1 with the Commanding Officer as Commander of the Group. ''Oklahoma City'' also served as a unit of TG 70.8.9 while providing gunfire support off the coast of Vietnam. The ship was homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, at the time.

Upon arrival at Yankee Station in September 1969, ''Oklahoma City'' conducted helicopter operations.<ref>USS Oklahoma City, Command History 1969, Part III, p.4</ref> She also refueled from the replenishment ship {{USS|Ashtabula|AO-51|2}} and was visited by [[Rear admiral (United States)|Rear Admiral]] Isaman, Commander Carrier Division Seven and Rear Admiral McClendon, Commander Carrier Division Nine. En route to Okinawa, ''Oklahoma City'' experienced a drop in chemical readings in number 4 boiler caused by a leak in tube Y-36. Upon arrival Okinawa, the ship conducted Exercise Z-3l-GM, short range Talos missile firing exercise, in Okinawa operating area W-173.

On 4 February 1972, ''Oklahoma City'' fired the first successful combat surface-to-surface missile shot in US Navy history, using the new Talos RIM-8H anti-radiation missile to destroy a North Vietnamese mobile air control radar van. On 19 April 1972, the cruiser was [[Battle of Đồng Hới|attacked]] by one of two [[Vietnam People's Air Force]] (VPAF) [[MiG-17]]s, flown by pilots Le Xuan Di and Nguyen Van Bay (aka ''Bay A''), both from the VPAF 923rd Fighter Regiment. Each MiG was armed with two {{convert|500|lb|kg|0}} bombs,<ref>Toperczer p. 54 & 55</ref> Van Bay's target was the light cruiser. Van Bay made two passes on the cruiser, having overshot his target on the first run, dropped his two bombs near ''Oklahoma City'', but caused only light damage.<ref>Toperczer p. 54/55</ref> Another accompanying ship, the [[destroyer]] {{USS|Higbee|DD-806|2}} was damaged by a direct hit from the second MiG flown by pilot Le Xuan Di, which destroyed her aft 5–inch gun mount.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sherwood|first=John|title=Nixon's Trident: Naval Power in Southeast Asia, 1968-72|publisher=Naval History & Heritage Command|year=2009|isbn=9780945274582|page=[https://archive.org/details/NixonsTrident/page/37 37]|url=https://archive.org/details/NixonsTrident/page/37}}</ref>

In April 1975, ''Oklahoma City'' participated in [[Operation Frequent Wind]], the evacuation of Saigon, Vietnam.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/seairland/chap5.htm |title=By Sea, Air and Land: An Illustrated History of the U.S. Navy and the war in Southeast Asia Chapter 5: The Final Curtain, 1973–1975 |access-date=6 February 2010 |archive-date=27 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070627121028/http://www.history.navy.mil/seairland/chap5.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Following this she was slated for a massive overhaul, as her flagship facilities, as well as her 6-inch guns made her an attractive asset to retain in service. Her now obsolete Talos system would be removed and two [[RIM-7 Sea Sparrow|Sea Sparrow]] SAM systems, and two [[Phalanx CIWS]] mounts would be fitted. Her machinery and hull would also be repaired and renewed. While funding for this work was appropriated by [[United States Congress|Congress]], it was diverted to other ships, and minimal repairs were made to keep ''Oklahoma City'' operational until 1979.

===Decommissioned and sunk===
[[File:USS Oklahoma City (CG-5) mothballed 1987.jpg|thumb|right|Decommissioned USS ''Oklahoma City'' in 1987]]
''Oklahoma City'' was decommissioned on 15 December 1979, and remained in the [[Reserve Fleet]] in [[Suisun Bay]] until 9 January 1999, when she was towed to Pearl Harbor, where some usable material was donated for use in outfitting the [[battleship]] {{USS|Missouri|BB-63|2}} as a museum ship.<ref>''Warship International'', No. 4, 2000, p. 426.</ref> ''Oklahoma City'' was then expended as a target during February–March. After being used as a target for air-launched missiles she was hit during Tandem Thrust '99 exercise southwest of [[Guam]] by torpedoes from the [[Republic of Korea Navy|South Korean]] [[submarine]] [[Chang Bogo-class submarine|''Lee Chun'']], broke in two and sank on 27 March 1999.

''Oklahoma City'' was the last ''Cleveland''-class cruiser in service and had the longest service history of all ships in the class. Accumulating some 13 battle stars for Vietnam-era engagements as flagship of the [[United States Seventh Fleet]], ''Oklahoma City'' has been commemorated at the [[National Museum of the Pacific War]] originally named the [[Chester W. Nimitz|Admiral Nimitz]] Museum located in [[Fredericksburg, Texas]]. Two plaques honor her service in World War II and Vietnam. On 22 September 2006, the World War II plaque was dedicated. The Vietnam Plaque was dedicated on 11 April 2008, and calls her the "Haze grey Ghost of the Western Pacific".

==Awards==

===World War II===
{|
|-
|[[File:American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|60px]]
|[[American Campaign Medal]]
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific_Campaign_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=60}}
|[[Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal]] with two battle stars.
|-
|[[File:World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|60px]]
|[[World War II Victory Medal]]
|-
|[[File:Army of Occupation ribbon.svg|60px]]
|[[Navy Occupation Service Medal]]
|}

===Post World War II===
{|
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Combat_Action_Ribbon,_2nd_award.svg|width=60}}
|[[Combat Action Ribbon]]
|-
|[[File:U.S. Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|60px]]
|[[Navy Unit Commendation]]
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy_Meritorious_Unit_Commendation_ribbon.svg|width=60}}
|[[Meritorious Unit Commendation]] with one bronze star
|-
|[[File:National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|60px]]
|[[National Defense Service Medal]]
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}
|[[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]] with two bronze stars
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=12|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}
|[[Vietnam Service Medal]] with 11 stars, two silver and one bronze
|-
|[[File:Humanitarian_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg|60px]]
|[[Humanitarian Service Medal]]
|-
|[[File:Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg|60px]]
|[[Vietnam Gallantry Cross]] (with Palm)
|-
|[[File:Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|60px]]
|[[Vietnam Campaign Medal]]
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}
*Toperczer, Istvan. ''MiG-17 and MiG-19 Units of the Vietnam War.'' 2001, Osprey Publishing Limited. {{ISBN|1-84176-162-1}}.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040317224458/http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/o2/oklahoma_city.htm DANFS Index of ships: Oklahoma City historical text]
*[https://archive.today/20121212214017/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-o/cl91.htm USS Oklahoma City (CL-91, later CLG-5), 1944–1999 historical text, Naval Historical Center]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20031207031133/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-o/clg5.htm USS Oklahoma City, 1960–1963 historical text, Naval Historical Center]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20031007070653/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-o/clg5-t.htm USS Oklahoma City, 1963–1967 Inclining Experiment historical text, Naval Historical Center]
*[SECNAV Instruction 1650.1H "Navy And Marine Corps Awards Manual" of 22 22 August 2006]
*[OPNAV Notice 1650 "Master List of Unit Awards and Campaign Medals" of 9 March 2001]
*{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/o/oklahoma_city.html}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5)}}
*{{navsource|04/091/04091|USS Oklahoma City}}
*[http://www.ussokcity.com/ CLG5 CG5 CL91 SSN723 Web Page: USS Oklahoma City]{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*[http://www.okieboat.com/ CL91 CLG5 CG5 Web page: USS Oklahoma City, Cleveland class and Talos missile]
*[https://archive.today/20121212214017/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-o/cl91.htm Photos of the USS Oklahoma City from archives of the US Navy Historical Center]
*[http://www.nimitz-museum.com/ National Museum of the Pacific War]
*[http://www.ussnimitzassociation.org/ USS ''Nimitz'' Association]
*[http://home.att.net/~iris.gardner/subic.html Battle of Dong Hoi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014224930/http://home.att.net/~iris.gardner/subic.html |date=14 October 2007 }}

{{Cleveland class cruiser}}
{{Galveston class cruiser}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oklahoma City (Clg-5)}}
[[Category:Cleveland-class cruisers]]
[[Category:Galveston-class cruisers]]
[[Category:World War II cruisers of the United States]]
[[Category:Cold War cruisers of the United States]]
[[Category:Vietnam War cruisers of the United States]]
[[Category:Ships built by William Cramp & Sons]]
[[Category:1944 ships]]
[[Category:Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet]]
[[Category:Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Francisco Group]]
[[Category:Ships sunk as targets]]

Richard Antrim

2025-11-02T02:42:19Z

2603:8000:D400:C2:B15A:5896:C351:12AF: /* Awards and decorations */

{{short description|US Navy Medal of Honor recipient (1907–1969)}}
{{Infobox military person
|name= Richard Nott Antrim
|birth_date= {{Birth date|1907|12|17}}
|death_date= {{Death date and age|1969|3|7|1907|12|17}}
|birth_place= [[Peru, Indiana]], US
|death_place= [[Mountain Home, Arkansas]], US
|placeofburial= [[Arlington National Cemetery]]
|image=Richard Antrim.jpg
|nickname=
|allegiance=[[United States of America]]
|branch={{Naval|United States|navy-1864}}
|serviceyears= 1926–1954
|rank= [[Image:US-O8 insignia.svg|25px]] [[Rear admiral (United States)|Rear admiral]]
|commands={{USS|Turner|DD-834}} {{USS|Montrose|APA-212}}
|unit=
|battles= [[World War II]]
* [[Pacific War]]
** [[Naval Battle of Balikpapan]]
** [[Battle of Badung Strait]]
** [[Battle of the Java Sea]] {{POW}}
|awards=
{{plainlist|
* [[File:Medal of Honor ribbon.svg|35 px]] [[Medal of Honor]]
* [[File:Navy Cross ribbon.svg|35 px]] [[Navy Cross]]
* [[File:Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg|35 px]] [[Bronze Star Medal]] w/ [[Valor device|"V" device]]
* [[File:Purple Heart BAR.svg|35px]] [[Purple Heart]]
}}
|laterwork=
}}
'''Richard Nott Antrim''' (December 17, 1907 – March 7, 1969) was an officer in the [[United States Navy]] who received the United States' highest military decoration—the [[Medal of Honor]]—for his actions as a [[prisoner of war]] during [[World War II]]. He retired in 1954 as a rear admiral.

==Early life and career==
Antrim was born in [[Peru, Indiana]], and entered Naval Reserve in 1926. He received an appointment to the [[United States Naval Academy]] in 1927 and graduated on June 4, 1931. He married Mary Jean Packard shortly before he graduated. He served briefly in the 11th Naval District before reporting to the battleship {{USS|New York|BB-34|6}} as fire control officer. Detached from that battleship in April 1932, he received flight instruction at the [[Naval Air Station]] (NAS), [[Naval Air Station Pensacola|Pensacola]], [[Florida]], before serving consecutive tours of sea duty on the {{USS|Salinas|AO-19|6}}, {{USS|Nitro|AE-2|6}} and {{USS|Trenton|CL-11|6}}.

Subsequently, ordered to the Bethlehem Steel Corporation in [[Quincy, Massachusetts]], Antrim assisted in fitting out {{USS|Portland|CA-33|6}} and after her [[ship commissioning|commissioning]], served as a division officer in that heavy [[cruiser]] until the spring of 1936. After that time, he became assistant first lieutenant in {{USS|Crowninshield|DD-134|6}} before undergoing instruction in lighter-than-air (LTA) flight at [[Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst|NAS Lakehurst]], [[New Jersey]]. Antrim subsequently received his naval aviator (LTA) designation, qualified for duty as an airship, kite, or free-balloon pilot. In the spring of 1938, Antrim arrived on the Asiatic Station and served as executive officer of {{USS|Bittern|AM-36|6}} before joining {{USS|Pope|DD-225|6}} in December 1939, as her executive officer. The outbreak of war in the [[Pacific Ocean]] in December 1941 found Antrim still serving in that capacity.

==World War II==
During her brief wartime career, ''Pope'' played a significant part in three major engagements fought by the venerable Asiatic Fleet [[destroyer]]s—the battles of [[Naval Battle of Balikpapan|Balikpapan]], [[Battle of Badung Strait|Badung Strait]], and the [[Battle of the Java Sea|Java Sea]].

In the former, ''Pope'' delivered close-range attacks that momentarily helped to delay the Japanese landings at [[Balikpapan]]. During the action, Lieutenant Antrim selected targets for his guns and torpedoes, placing his shots accurately in the midst of a large [[Japan]]ese convoy and thus inflicting damage to several enemy ships. After the [[Battle of Badung Strait]], ''Pope's'' commanding officer, Commander Welford C. Blinn, reported that his executive officer was "highly deserving of commendation for the meritorious performance of his several duties before and throughout the action." Citing Antrim as a "ready assistant in navigation fire control, and torpedo fire," Blinn recommended him not only for a destroyer command but for a "decoration deemed appropriate." Antrim later received a [[Navy Cross]] for this service.

The [[Battle of the Java Sea]] (27 to February 28, 1942) ended all Allied hope of stemming the Japanese onslaught. In the wake of that action, the smashed Allied fleet attempted to escape the cordon of Japanese warships rapidly tightening the noose around [[Java (island)|Java]]. Among the small groups was one composed of the British heavy cruiser {{HMS|Exeter|68|6}}, the destroyer {{HMS|Encounter|H10|6}}, and ''Pope''.

The ships slipped out of [[Surabaya]], Java, on the evening of February 28, but were spotted the next day by Japanese aircraft. A surface force of cruisers and destroyers located the fleeing trio, and a fierce action ensued, with ''Exeter'' and ''Encounter'' after having put up a stiff fight, going down under a deluge of Japanese shells. ''Pope'', however, fought on, managing to make a temporary haven in a passing rain squall.

Unfortunately, the destroyer—an Asiatic Fleet flush decker "old enough to vote"—could not elude her pursuers. Ultimately, damaged by Japanese bombs, from aircraft summoned from the Japanese carrier [[Japanese aircraft carrier Ryūjō|'' Ryūjō'']], and by shells from the Japanese force, ''Pope'' began to sink, but not before all but one of her men had reached safety in life rafts and the destroyer's sole motor whaleboat. Antrim, wounded in the action, helped to gather the life rafts around the boat to facilitate the distribution of what meager supplies were available to the men. His devotion to duty during the ordeal inspired and sustained his shipmates' morale.

== Prisoner of war ==
For three days and nights, Pope's survivors stuck together as a group until picked up by a Japanese warship and handed over to Japanese Army authorities at Makassar, in the Celebes Islands.

During the early part of his imprisonment at Makassar in April 1942, Antrim saw a Japanese guard brutally beating an American prisoner of war, Lt.(jg) Allan Jack Fisher, (SC), and successfully intervened, at great risk to his own life. For his conspicuous act of valor, Antrim later received the Medal of Honor.

Subsequently, when the Japanese forced Antrim to take charge of a labor detail assigned the task of constructing slit trenches for protection during air raids, he carefully rearranged the construction work plans approved by the Japanese and gained their approval of his own ideas. Under the eyes of their captors, the POWs dug the slit trenches correctly, but in a curious pattern recognizable from the air as a giant US which clearly and craftily identified the occupants of the trenches. This audacious action possibly saved hundreds of prisoners of war from mistaken bombings by Allied planes. Antrim carried out the plan in spite of the fact that discovery of his trick would have resulted in instant beheading. For this, Antrim received a Bronze Star.<ref>"Medal Winner in POW Camp Dies at Age 61," The Arkansas Gazette, March 8, 1969, p. 8B.</ref>

==Post-war activities==
Ultimately liberated after the war in the Far East ended in August 1945, Antrim returned to the [[United States]] and enjoyed rehabilitation leave before attending the Repatriated POW Refresher Course at the [[Washington Navy Yard]], [[Washington, D.C.]] in May 1946. He then brushed up on his pilot training at NAS Lakehurst and later completed a course at the [[Naval War College]]. Antrim—who had been listed as missing since the sinking of ''Pope'' in March 1942—received the [[Medal of Honor]] and [[Bronze Star Medal]] from [[President of the United States|President]] [[Harry S. Truman]] in ceremonies at the [[White House]] on January 30, 1947.

Later, following a brief stint at the Fleet Sonar School, [[San Diego, California]], in June and July 1947, Antrim went to sea in command of the destroyer {{USS|Turner|DD-834|6}}. He next underwent further instruction at NAS Lakehurst, before assuming the duties of Assistant for Lighter-than-Air Planning and Programs Office of the [[Chief of Naval Operations]] (CNO), Washington, D.C., in December 1948.

Following further Washington duty—with the Policy Advisory Staff, Department of State, and the [[Psychological Strategy Board]]—Antrim commanded the attack transport {{USS|Montrose|APA-212|6}} during the [[Korean War]] before returning to the capital for a brief tour of duty as Head, Amphibious Warfare Matters Section, Office of the CNO, prior to his retirement on April 1, 1954. He was advanced to rear admiral on the retired list on the basis of his combat awards.

==Later life==
Rear Admiral Antrim died in [[Mountain Home, Arkansas]] on March 7, 1969. He was buried at [[Arlington National Cemetery]], in [[Arlington, Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgZhbnRyaW0SB3JpY2hhcmQ-/ |title=Antrim, Richard N. (Section 35, Grave 2613) |work= ANC Explorer|publisher=Arlington National Cemetery |id=(Official website)}}</ref>

==Awards and decorations==
His decorations include:
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|colspan="4" style="text-align: center"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Surface Warfare Officer Insignia.png|width=220|alt=}}
|-
|colspan="4" style="text-align: center"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Naval_Aviator_Badge.jpg|width=220|alt=}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Medal_of_Honor_ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Cross ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|ribbon=Bronze Star Medal ribbon with "V" device, 1st award.svg|width=110}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=award-star|ribbon=Combat_Action_Ribbon,_2nd_award.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=service-star|ribbon=United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|ribbon=AF Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.png|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Prisoner of War Medal ribbon|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=China_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|other_device=|ribbon=American Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Army of Occupation ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Korean_Service_Medal_-_Ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Neth_bronzelion_rib.PNG|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Presidential_Unit_Citation_(Korea).svg|width=110}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=service-star|ribbon=Philippine Defense ribbon.png|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=United Nations Service Medal Korea ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Republic of Korea War Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="3"|[[Surface Warfare Officer Insignia]]
|-
|colspan="3"|[[United States Aviator Badge|Naval Aviator Badge]]
|-
|[[Medal of Honor]]
|[[Navy Cross]]
|[[Bronze Star]] w/ [[Valor device]]
|-
|[[Purple Heart]]
|[[Combat Action Ribbon]] w/ one [[5/16 inch star|{{frac|5|16}}" Gold Star]]
|[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Navy Presidential Unit Citation]]
|-
||[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Army Presidential Unit Citation]]
|[[Prisoner of War Medal]]
|[[China Service Medal]] w/ one {{frac|3|16}}" [[Service star|Bronze Star]]
|-
|[[American Defense Service Medal]] w/ [[medal bar|Fleet Clasp]] ({{frac|3|16}}" Bronze Star)
|[[American Campaign Medal]]
|[[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]] w/ two {{frac|3|16}}" Bronze Stars
|-
|[[World War II Victory Medal]]
|[[Army of Occupation Medal]] w/ 'Japan' clasp
|[[National Defense Service Medal]]
|-
|[[Korean Service Medal]] w/ two {{frac|3|16}}" Bronze Stars
|''[[Bronze Lion|Netherlands Bronze Lion Medal]]''
|[[Presidential Unit Citation (Korea)|Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation]]
|-
|[[Philippine Defense Medal]]
|[[United Nations Korea Medal]]
|[[Korean War Service Medal|Republic of Korea War Service Medal]]
|}

===Medal of Honor citation===
<blockquote>For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while interned as a prisoner of war of the enemy Japanese in the city of Makassar, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies, in April 1942. Acting instantly on behalf of a naval officer who was subjected to a vicious clubbing by a frenzied Japanese guard venting his insane wrath upon the helpless prisoner, Comdr. (then Lt.) Antrim boldly intervened, attempting to quiet the guard and finally persuading him to discuss the charges against the officer. With the entire Japanese force assembled and making extraordinary preparations for the threatened beating, and with the tension heightened by 2,700 Allied prisoners rapidly closing in, Comdr. Antrim courageously appealed to the fanatic enemy, risking his own life in a desperate effort to mitigate the punishment. When the other had been beaten unconscious by 15 blows of a hawser and was repeatedly kicked by 3 soldiers to a point beyond which he could not survive, Comdr. Antrim gallantly stepped forward and indicated to the perplexed guards that he would take the remainder of the punishment, throwing the Japanese completely off balance in their amazement and eliciting a roar of acclaim from the suddenly inspired Allied prisoners. By his fearless leadership and valiant concern for the welfare of another, he not only saved the life of a fellow officer and stunned the Japanese into sparing his own life but also brought about a new respect for American officers and men and a great improvement in camp living conditions. His heroic conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon Comdr. Antrim and the U.S. Naval Service.</blockquote>

==Posthumous honor==
[[File:Antrim launching.JPEG|thumb|right|Members of Antrim's family attended the {{USS|Antrim|FFG-20}} launching ceremony. His wife is at center in light-colored clothing.]]
In 1979, the {{USS|Antrim|FFG-20}} was named in his honor.

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography}}
* [[List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
* {{Cite web
|accessdate=October 11, 2007
|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/a9/antrim-i.htm
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040229025553/http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/a9/antrim-i.htm
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=February 29, 2004
|title=Antrim
|work=Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
|publisher = [[Naval History & Heritage Command]], Department of the Navy}}

==Attribution==
:{{DANFS}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Antrim, Richard}}
[[Category:1907 births]]
[[Category:1969 deaths]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of the Korean War]]
[[Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery]]
[[Category:Naval War College alumni]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Bronze Lion]]
[[Category:United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients]]
[[Category:People from Mountain Home, Arkansas]]
[[Category:World War II prisoners of war held by Japan]]
[[Category:United States Naval Academy alumni]]
[[Category:United States Naval Aviators]]
[[Category:United States Navy rear admirals (upper half)]]
[[Category:People from Peru, Indiana]]
[[Category:World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor]]
[[Category:American torture victims]]

Template:Harpers Ferry class dock landing ship

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{{military navigation
| name = Harpers Ferry class dock landing ship
| title = {{sclass|Harpers Ferry|dock landing ship|1}}s
| state = {{{state|autocollapse}}}
| style = wide
| bodyclass = hlist

| list1 =
* {{USS|Harpers Ferry||2}}
* {{USS|Carter Hall|LSD-50|2}}
* {{USS|Oak Hill|LSD-51|2}}
* {{USS|Pearl Harbor||2}}

| list2 =
* Preceded by: {{sclass|Whidbey Island|dock landing ship|4}}
* Followed by: [[LX(R)-class amphibious warfare ship|''San Antonio'' class, Flight II]] (planned)

| below =
* [[List of United States Navy amphibious warfare ships]]

}}<noinclude>
{{collapsible option}}
[[Category:Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ships|~]]
[[Category:United States military ship templates]]
</noinclude>

USS Cowpens

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{{Italic title prefixed|3}}
Two ships of the [[United States Navy]] have been named '''USS ''Cowpens''''', after the [[Battle of Cowpens]], an American victory during the [[American Revolutionary War]].

* {{USS|Cowpens|CVL-25}}, was a [[light aircraft carrier]] active in [[World War II]] and decommissioned in 1946.
* {{USS|Cowpens|CG-63}}, was a [[guided missile cruiser]] commissioned in 1991 and was decommissioned in August 2024.

==Sources==
*{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c15/cowpens.htm}}
*{{Naval Vessel Register}}

{{Ship index}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cowpens}}
[[Category:United States Navy ship names]]

George H. Gay Jr.

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{{short description|United States Navy officer (1917–1994)}}
{{Infobox military person
|name=George H. Gay Jr.
|birth_date= {{birth date|1917|3|8}}
|death_date= {{death date and age|1994|10|21|1917|3|8}}
|image=George gay.jpg
|caption=George H. Gay circa 1936–1938
|alt = Photograph of a man's head and shoulders. The man is looking directly at the camera. He is wearing a military uniform.
|nickname=
|birth_place=[[Waco, Texas]], U.S.
|death_place=[[Marietta, Georgia]], U.S.
|allegiance=[[United States|United States of America]]
|branch=[[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]]
|serviceyears=1941–1945
|rank=[[Lieutenant commander (United States)|Lieutenant commander]]
|unit=[[Torpedo Squadron 8]]
|commands=
|battles= [[World War II]]
* [[Battle of Midway]]
* [[Guadalcanal campaign]]
|awards={{plainlist|
* [[File:Navy Cross ribbon.svg|35 px]] [[Navy Cross]]
* [[File:Purple Heart ribbon.svg|35px]] [[Purple Heart]]
}}
|relations=
|laterwork=
}}
[[Ensign (rank)|Ensign]] (later [[Lieutenant commander (United States)|Lieutenant Commander]]) '''George Henry Gay Jr.''' (March 8, 1917 – October 21, 1994) was a [[Douglas TBD Devastator]] pilot in [[United States Navy]] [[VT-8|Torpedo Squadron 8]] operating from the [[aircraft carrier]] {{USS|Hornet|CV-8|6}} in the [[Asiatic-Pacific Theater|Pacific Theater of Operations]] during [[World War II]]. Of the 30 VT-8 aircrew from ''Hornet'' that participated in the pivotal [[Battle of Midway]], Ensign Gay was the sole survivor.<ref name="nhcgay">{{cite web|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/oral-histories/wwii/battle-of-midway/recollections-of-lieutenant-george-gay.html|title=Recollections of Lieutenant George Gay, USNR|date=September 21, 2015|publisher=Naval History and Heritage Command}}</ref><ref name=NavyBio>{{cite web |title=George Henry Gay (8 March 1917 - 21 October 1994) |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/research-guides/modern-biographical-files-ndl/modern-bios-g/gay-george-h.html |date=June 8, 2017 |publisher=Naval History and Heritage Command}}</ref>

==Early years==
George Henry Gay Jr. was born on March 8, 1917, in [[Waco, Texas]]. He attended school in both [[Austin, Texas|Austin]] and [[Houston]] before enrolling at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now [[Texas A&M University]]).

==World War II==
Like millions of Americans at the time, Gay chose to sign up for the coming war, leaving school. He tried to join the [[United States Army Air Corps|Army Air Corps]] as a pilot but was rejected for medical reasons. He then tried the [[United States Navy]] in early 1941. Gay completed flight training and was commissioned as an [[Ensign (rank)|ensign]] in September 1941.

He joined the newly formed [[VT-8|Torpedo Squadron 8]] under Lieutenant Commander [[John C. Waldron|John Charles Waldron]]. He and his unit were aboard the [[aircraft carrier]] {{USS|Hornet|CV-8|6}} in April 1942 when Lieutenant Colonel [[Jimmy Doolittle]] launched [[Doolittle Raid|his raid]] on [[Tokyo]]. One week later, ''Hornet'' arrived at [[Pearl Harbor]] to join {{USS|Enterprise|CV-6|6}} as part of [[Task Force 16]] during the [[Battle of Midway]].
[[File:Vt8-g-gay-may42.jpg|thumb|[[Ensign (rank)|Ensign]] George H. Gay Jr. (right), sole survivor of VT-8's [[TBD Devastator]] group, in front of his aircraft with his rear gunner, ARM3c George Arthur Field, while ''Hornet'' was in the Coral Sea, c. May 1942.]]
During the Battle of Midway, Gay was the first of his squadron to take off from ''Hornet'' on June 4, 1942. Gay's squadron found the Japanese fleet and launched an attack without any [[Fighter aircraft|fighter plane]] support. Although he was wounded and his radioman/gunner, [[Robert K. Huntington]],<ref name=Symonds>{{cite book |first=Craig L. |last=Symonds |authorlink=Craig Symonds |title=The Battle of Midway |date=2011 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-539793-2 |page=271 |oclc=910522932}}</ref> was dying, Gay completed his [[torpedo]] attack on the Japanese aircraft carrier {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Sōryū||2}}, but ''Sōryū'' evaded his torpedo. Rather than banking away from the ship and presenting a larger target to its [[anti-aircraft]] gunners, Gay continued in toward the carrier at low altitude. He then brought his Devastator into a tight turn as he approached the carrier's [[Aircraft carrier#Deck structures|island]], and flew aft along the [[flight deck]]'s length, thus evading anti-aircraft fire. He later stated he had a "split second" thought of crashing into the Japanese aircraft he saw being serviced on the flight deck.<ref name=nhcgay />

{{blockquote|It's when a fellow is just gone and knows it, it is just crash into the ship or crash into the sea, and you have enough control to do a little bit more damage, why you crash into the ship.|George H. Gay<ref name=nhcgay/>}}

With his aircraft still in relatively good condition, he decided to make for ''Hornet'' after clearing the Japanese carrier. However, five [[Mitsubishi A6M Zero]]s brought his aircraft down in a hail of machine-gun and cannon fire, killing his rear gunner.<ref name=nhcgay/><ref>{{cite web |title=Ensign George H. Gay's Fateful Day, June 4, 1942 |last=Blazich, Jr. |first=Frank A. |date=May 25, 2017 |url=https://usnhistory.navylive.dodlive.mil/2017/05/25/ensign-george-h-gays-fateful-day-june-4-1942/ |publisher=[[Naval History and Heritage Command]] |access-date=June 6, 2020 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206152608/https://usnhistory.navylive.dodlive.mil/2017/05/25/ensign-george-h-gays-fateful-day-june-4-1942/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Exiting his aircraft, and floating in the ocean, he hid under his seat cushion for hours to avoid Japanese strafing attacks and witnessed the [[Battle of Midway#Attacks on the Japanese fleet|subsequent dive bombing attacks]] and sinking of three of the four Japanese aircraft carriers.<ref>Joe James Custer (United Press), ''Watches Jap Carriers Go By in Flames'', ''Waterloo Daily Courier'', 1942-06-09 at 1, available at NewspaperArchive.com.</ref>

After dark, Gay felt it was safe to inflate his life raft. He was rescued by a Navy [[Consolidated PBY Catalina]] after spending over 30 hours in the water. Gay was later flown to {{USS|Vincennes|CA-44|6}} (arriving June 28, 1942), before being transferred home.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/log-Vincennes-Donald-Hugh-Dorris/dp/B00071WTFG Log Of The Vincennes], p. 371 Copyright Jonathan Truman Dorris, 1947, ASIN: B00071WTFG</ref> Of the squadron's thirty pilots and radiomen, Gay was the only survivor.

Gay later met with [[Chester W. Nimitz|Admiral Nimitz]] and confirmed the destruction of three Japanese carriers he had witnessed – ''Akagi'', ''Kaga'' and ''Sōryū''. He was featured in the August 31, 1942, issue of ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'' magazine.

Following Midway, Gay took part in the [[Guadalcanal campaign]] with [[VFA-115|Torpedo Squadron 11]], and later became a Navy [[flight instructor]].

He was awarded the [[Navy Cross]] and [[Purple Heart]] for his actions in combat at Midway and was later awarded an Air Medal.

[[File:20-02-292-gay.jpg|thumb|Plaque of Gay at the [[Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame]]]]

==Later years==
After World War II, Gay spent over 30 years as a pilot for [[Trans World Airlines]].<ref name=NYTimes>{{cite news |title=George H. Gay, 77, Was Sole Survivor of Midway Attack |work=The New York Times |date=October 24, 1994 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/24/obituaries/george-h-gay-77-was-sole-survivor-in-a-midway-attack.html}}</ref> He often lectured on his Midway experiences, and authored the book ''Sole Survivor''.<ref>{{cite book |first=George |last=Gay |title=Sole Survivor |isbn=0-938300-08-3 |oclc=7738297 |date=1983|publisher=Midway Publishers }}</ref> In 1975, he served as a consultant on the set for the movie ''[[Midway (1976 film)|Midway]]'', in which [[Kevin Dobson]] played Gay.<ref name=NYTimes /> In the 2019 film ''[[Midway (2019 film)|Midway]]'', he was portrayed by [[Brandon Sklenar]].

He attended the [[Ship decommissioning|decommissioning]] ceremony of {{USS|Midway|CV-41|6}} on April 11, 1992.

In May 1994 Gay was named to the [[Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|title=George H. Gay Jr.|url=http://www.gaaviationhalloffame.com/Hall-of-Fame.48.0.html?avid=44|access-date=October 9, 2018|website=Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame|archive-date=June 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170601012127/http://www.gaaviationhalloffame.com/Hall-of-Fame.48.0.html?avid=44|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On October 21, 1994, Gay died of a heart attack at a hospital in [[Marietta, Georgia]].<ref name=NYTimes /> His body was cremated and his ashes spread at the place where his squadron had launched its ill-fated attack.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kernan |first=Alvin |title=The Unknown Battle of Midway: The Destruction of the American Torpedo Squadrons |publisher=Yale University Press |date=2005 |page=[https://archive.org/details/unknownbattleofm00alvi/page/127 127] |oclc=952732442 |isbn=9780300109894 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/unknownbattleofm00alvi/page/127 }}</ref>

==Awards==

{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="3"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Naval Aviator Badge.png|width=205|alt=}}
|-
|colspan="3"|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy_Cross_ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=award-star|other_device= |ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|other_device=|ribbon=Combat_Action_Ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=service-star|other_device=|ribbon=United_States_Navy_Presidential_Unit_Citation_ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|other_device=|ribbon=American_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific_Campaign_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed_Forces_Reserve_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="3"|[[United States Aviator Badge|Naval Aviator Badge]]
|-
|colspan="3"|[[Navy Cross]]
|-
|[[Purple Heart]]
|[[Air Medal]]
|[[Combat Action Ribbon]]
|-
|[[Navy Presidential Unit Citation]]
|[[American Defense Service Medal]] w/ one {{frac|3|16}}" [[campaign star|bronze star]]
|[[American Campaign Medal]]
|-
|[[Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal]] w/ three {{frac|3|16}}" bronze stars
|[[World War II Victory Medal]]
|[[Armed Forces Reserve Medal]]
|}

===Navy Cross citation===
[[File:Navy_Cross.png|50px|left]]
:Ensign George Henry Gay, Jr
:U.S. Navy
:Date Of Action: June 4, 1942
<blockquote>The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign George Henry Gay, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. Grimly aware of the hazardous consequences of flying without fighter protection, and with insufficient fuel to return to his carrier, Ensign Gay, resolutely, and with no thought of his own life, delivered an effective torpedo attached against violent assaults of enemy Japanese aircraft and against an almost solid barrage of anti-aircraft fire. His courageous action, carried out with a gallant spirit of self-sacrifice and a conscientious devotion to the fulfillment of his mission, was a determining factor in the defeat of the enemy forces and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/21246|title=Valor awards for George Henry Gay Jr.|website=Valor.militarytimes.com |access-date=February 26, 2022}}</ref></blockquote>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|George H. Gay}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070503152318/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-g/g-gay.htm Naval Historical Center]
* [https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/oral-histories/wwii/battle-of-midway/recollections-of-lieutenant-george-gay.html Naval Historical Center - Recollections]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080327081630/http://www.radiocrazy.com/shows2/W/WorldNewsToday/004.mp3 Copy of News Report w/ Lt. George Gay]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gay, George}}
[[Category:1917 births]]
[[Category:1994 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American naval officers]]
[[Category:Aviators from Texas]]
[[Category:Battle of Midway]]
[[Category:Burials at sea]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Waco, Texas]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Air Medal]]
[[Category:Shot-down aviators]]
[[Category:Sole survivors]]
[[Category:Texas A&M University alumni]]
[[Category:United States Navy bomber pilots of World War II]]
[[Category:Trans World Airlines people]]
[[Category:American commercial aviators]]