VP-5 Squadron Shipmates
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BURCH, REAR ADMIRAL William Oscar Jr. (Deceased) http://www.usstarawavets.org/CV-40%20pages/Burch.Bio.htm "...William Oscar Burch, Jr., was born June 27, 1904, at Paducah, Kentucky, the son of William O. and Elizabeth Metzler Burch. He attended Paducah High School and was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, entering in June 1923, graduating with the Class of 1927. He advanced through the ranks, named Captain for temporary service on 27 June, (his birthday) 1945, attaining the four stripes on July 1, 1950, to rank from March 30, 1945. On October 6, 1956, he was named Rear Admiral to rank from July 1 of that year. Burch was the eighth commanding officer of the U.S.S. Tarawa, taking over on August 8, 1953. He was relieved of command in the Pacific as the ship was in the final stages of the 1953-54 World Cruise. Upon graduation from the Academy, Burch served as a Junior Division Officer aboard the U.S.S. Medusa, a ship of the Train, Base Force, from July 1927 to August 1928. From August 1928 to March 1930 he served in a similar capacity in the U.S.S. West Virginia, flagship of Battleship Divisions, Battle Fleet. In March 1930 he reported to the U.S. NAS Pensacola, Florida, for flight instruction and was designated Naval Aviator on December 12 of that year. The following month he took up duties as Junior Aviation Officer aboard the U.S.S. Pennsylvania. In May 1933 he returned to NAS Pensacola, Florida, as an instructor until June 1935. He was then transferred to Scouting Squadron 4-B with duties as Material Officer until June 1937 when he joined Scouting Squadron 42 with similar responsibilities. With these squadron assignments he was based in the carriers Langley, Saratoga and Ranger until October 1937 when he returned again to NAS Pensacola, Florida as an instructor until June 1939. In June 1939 he joined Scouting Squadron 5, and took command in August 1941. In the early months of World War II he participated in raids on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands and Salamaua-Lae, and in the Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway. He was twice awarded the Navy Cross, and received the Silver Star Medal and a letter of Commendation from the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, for heroism in that command. The citation for his first Navy Cross reads, in part: "Due to Lieutenant Commander Burch's distinguished and capable leadership, the high combat efficiency attained by units under his command enabled them to deliver five aggressive and exceptionally successful dive-bombing attacks, the first at Tulagi Harbor on May 4 in which at least eight enemy Japanese vessels were destroyed or severely damaged, and later on May 7, when an enemy carrier was sunk...On May 8 (his) squadron succeeded in sinking or severely damaging another enemy Japanese carrier...(and) contributed materially to the success of our forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea." His Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross citation reads, in part: "Lieutenant Commander Burch fearlessly led his squadron over high mountains and dense jungles fo New Guinea in a dive-bombing attack against three enemy airplane tenders or transports...He and his squadron scored seven direct hits and eight very near misses against the hostile vessels, one direct hit being made by Lieutenant Commander Burch personally...contributed materially to the sinking of the three Japanese ships..." From June to August 1942 he served as Training Officer with Carriers, Pacific, and then as Executive Officer with Advanced Carrier Training Group until October 1942. He then was assigned to the NAS Jacksonville, Florida, eventually serving there as Commanding Officer of the Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida, until February 1944. In May 1944 he reported to the Naval Training Station, Newport, Rhode Island, as the prospective Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Ticonderoga (CV-14). Upon that carrier's commissioning he became her Executive Officer. He served in her from May 1944 to June 1945 in the Pacific. He was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a third Navy Cross for heroic conduct as XO when the ship was hit by a suicide plane and bomb crashing through her flight deck; he directed the fire fighting though burned and severely wounded by shrapnel. His Gold Star citation in lieu of a third Navy Cross reads: "...Organizing fire-fighting crews on the hangar deck after his ship had been hit, (then Commander) Burch was the first to take a hose into the fire despite the billowing flames and continuous ammunition explosions although his clothes caught fire on two occasions. After the fire-fighting crews were functioning, he made his way to secondary control and manned his exposed battle station until severely wounded by shrapnel. Refusing to go to Sick Bay, he gave orders to be carried to the flight deck where he directed the fire fighting until the flames were under control..." Upon his return to the United States, he served from June 1945 to November 1946 as Commanding Officer, Naval Auxiliary Air Training Center, Naval Air Station, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and then as CO of the Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida, until March 1947. Then followed a succession of commands, Commanding Officer of the USS Pine Island (AV-12) from March 1947 to February 1948; Commanding Officer, FAW-1, from February to April 1948; returning to the USS Pine Island (AV-12) as Co until May of 1948. He then became Head, Enlisted Distribution Branch, Bureau of Naval Personnel, Navy Department, until August of 1951 when he reported as a student to the National War College, Washington, D.C., graduating in June 1952. Then followed a year of duty as Chief of Staff and Aide to Commander, Carrier Division Six. It was following that assignment, in August 1953, that Burch was named skipper of the U.S.S. Tarawa, a command he held for a year before reporting for two months of instruction with the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. From July until October 1954 he served as Chief of Staff with the Military Assistance Advisory Group, Formosa. His next assignment was a two-month tour with Air Force, Atlantic Fleet, followed in November 1954 by being named Chief of Staff, Fleet Air Wings, Atlantic Fleet. In September 1956 he rose to become Commander Fleet Air Wings, Atlantic Fleet, with additional duty as Commander, Fleet Air Wing Five, all based at the NAS Norfolk, Virginia. In August 1957 he was named Commander, Carrier Division 18, and in November 1958 became Commander, Naval Aviation Safety Center, NAS Norfolk, Virginia. While retaining that post, he took on additional duties from December 24, 1960 to October 1961 as Commandant, Fifth Naval District, and Commander Naval Base, Norfolk. It was during this time that he was awarded the Legion of Merit "For exceptionally meritorious conduct¼ as Commander, United States Naval Aviation Safety Center, from November 1958 to June 1962. "Responsible for reducing annual naval aviation aircraft losses to the lowest level ever attained in the history of naval aviation, Rear Admiral Burch consistently exercised a high degree of professional skill and resourcefulness throughout this period. "Through his constant and meticulous attention to the problems of safety, he has been directly responsible for minimizing aircraft and aircrew personnel losses, resulting in definite increase in operational readiness and substantial monetary savings. "In stimulating command interest and attention to all aspects of aviation safety, and in initiating the Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization Programs, he has made a major contribution to the success of the Navy-wide safety effort. His ability to solve the many and varied problems associated with his command ensured the smooth functioning that provided the most efficient service to the Navy..." The admiral's Distinguished Flying Cross was won "For heroic conduct in aerial combat as Commanding Officer of Scouting Squadron Five during operations of U.S. forces against the Gilbert Islands on January 31, 1942...(when) he personally made a direct bomb hit on an enemy seaplane tender and sank a four-engined patrol plane on the water by machine gun fire." On July 1, 1962, Burch was transferred to the Retired List of the U.S. Navy. The shrapnel wounds suffered in World War II plagued him during the remainder of his life, the metal fragments continuing to work their way through parts of his body. Burch died at his home on 21 January 1989..." [22JUL2003]


DICKEY, CAPTAIN Fred C. http://www.usshancock.com/text/Biography2.rtf "...After three years duty at NAS Pensacola, Florida, Captain DICKEY in October, 1925, joined the U.S.S. MARBLEHEAD and served in the ship as senior aviator. During this period he participated in the second Nicaraguan Campaign, and the Yangtse river campaign, serving one year in the China station. From 1928 until 1931 followed another tour of duty at NAS Pensacola, Florida and afterward came three years in the U.S.S CHICAGO. The first two years of this duty he served as senior aviator of the CHICAGO and executive officer of Scouting Squadron TEN. The third year he assumed Command of Scouting Squadron TEN with additional duty as Commander, Scouting Wing Cruiser Scouting Force. In July, 1934, Captain DICKEY reported for duty under instruction at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, and spent nearly a year there in preparation for the next step in his Navy career. This was command of VP-3, then based at NAS Coco Solo, Panama, Canal Zone. From March 1937, until June, 1939 he served as gunnery and tactical officer, Patrol Plane Scouting Force, the first year of this duty being served as a member of Admiral Ernest J. King's Staff, and the second being spent in the same capacity with Rear Admiral C. S. Blakely. Following this two year tour of staff duty, Captain DICKEY assumed command of the San Pedro Naval Air Station and held that position until he was assigned to the aircraft carrier WASP in 1941. He assumed command of the NAS Hutchinson, Kansas in December, 1942. In February of 1944 he was relieved of his duties at NAS Hutchinson, Kansas and reported at Quincy, Massachusetts, as prospective Commanding Officer of this ship and officially became Commanding Officer when it was put into commission April l5. Captain DICKEY holds seven service and compaign ribbons, the Victory Medal with star, the second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal, the European-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal. For his services on the HANCOCK he was awarded the Silver Star Medal..." [04JUL2003]


KING, FLEET ADMIRAL Ernest Joseph http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq36-3.htm "...Ernest Joseph King was born in Lorain, Ohio, on November 23,1878. As a young boy he read an article in the Youth's Companion about the Naval Academy which stimulated his interest towards a Navy career. Upon graduating from Lorain High School in 1897, he was appointed to the Naval Academy by Representative Kerr of the Fourteenth District of Ohio. When he left home, his father, a railway mechanic, gave him a round-trip railway pass in case he might change his mind. He never used the return portion, although he kept it for many years. In the Summer of 1898, during the Spanish American War, King served as a Naval Cadet in the USS San Francisco, flagship of the Northern Patrol Squadron, for which he received his first decoration, the Sampson Medal. He graduated with distinction in the Class of 1901, and served the two years at sea -- then required by law -- before being commissioned Ensign on June 7, 1903. His assignments during his first sea cruise included service in USS Eagle surveying Cienfriegas, Cuba, in USS Cincinnati, a protected cruiser in the Asiatic Fleet during the Russo-Japanese War, in USS Illinois, flagship of the European Squadron, and USS Alabama, flagship of the second Division of the Atlantic Fleet. His first shore duty came in 1906 when he went to the Naval Academy as an instructor in Ordnance and Gunnery for two years, followed by one year on the Executive Staff. Officers who were midshipmen at that time still remember him as a strict but fair duty officer. There followed another sea cruise of three years beginning as Aide on the Staff of Commander Battleship Division Two, Atlantic Fleet in USS Minnesota, one year as Engineer Officer of USS New Hampshire and one year on the Staff of the Commander in Chief Atlantic Fleet in USS Connecticut. His next shore cruise started in 1912 in command of the Engineering Experimental Station at Annapolis. After two years, in l914, he went to sea again, this time in destroyers in command of USS Cassin, then as aide to Commander Torpedo Flotilla Atlantic Fleet, Commander Sixth Division of the Flotilla. In 1916 he went to the staff of Admiral H. T. Mayo on which he served during WWI while the Admiral was Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet. In 1919, Admiral King, then a Captain, became head of the Postgraduate School at the Naval Academy. Following that tour of duty, he commanded USS Bridge for a short period. In July 1922, he commenced a series of assignments which placed him in intimate contact with submarine operations when he was assigned to duty on the staff of Commander Submarine Flotillas, Atlantic Fleet, and as Commander Submarine Division Eleven. In 1923 he took command of the Submarine Base at New London with additional duty as Naval Inspector of Ordnance in Charge of the Mine Depot there. It was during this period in September 1925 that he was in charge of the salvage of USS S-51 which was sunk off Block Island. Having had sea duty in destroyers, submarines and battleships, Captain King now began his career in Naval Aviation which was then taking its place in the Fleet. In 1926 he took command of the aircraft tender USS Wright with additional duties as Senior Aide on the Staff of Commander Air Squadrons, Atlantic Fleet, In January of 1927, he reported to the NAS Pensacola, Florida for flight training and was designated naval aviator 3368 in May of that year. He rejoined USS Wright on completion of this training. When USS S-4 was sunk in December of that year off Provincetown, however, he was again assigned to command of her salvage operations. Upon completion he returned to his command of the USS Wright, and had a short cruise as Commander Aircraft Squadrons, Scouting Fleet, until 1928, when he went ashore as Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics. In 1929 he assumed command of the NAS Norfolk, Virginia. In June of 1930 he went to sea in command of USS Lexington for a two year cruise in that ship. He then had a year in the senior officers' course at the Naval War College. In 1933, with the rank of Rear Admiral, he became the Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics until 1936. During the next five years, except for the year 1940 on the General Board he commanded Aircraft Base Force, Aircraft Scouting Force, and as a Vice Admiral in 1938, Aircraft Battle Force. In February 1941, he was given the rank of Admiral as Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet and on 30 December of that year he became Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Fleet. In March 1942, the President by Executive Order, combined the office of Commander in Chief and the Chief of Naval Operations, and Admiral King assumed those combined duties on 18 March, when he relieved Admiral Stark as Chief of Naval Operations, the first and only officer to hold such an assignment. On 17 December 1944 he was advanced to the newly created rank of Fleet Admiral. In 1945, when the position of Commander in Chief, U. S. Fleet ceased to exist, as an office established by the President pursuant to Executive Order 99635, Admiral King became Chief of Naval Operations in October of that year. In December he was relieved by Fleet Admiral Nimitz. From that time he served in an Advisory Capacity in the office of the Secretary of the Navy, and as President of the Naval Historical Foundation. He died at the Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, New Hampshire on 25 June 1956..." [23JUN2003]


MONROE, REAR ADMIRAL Jack Pendleton Retired http://www.usstarawavets.org/CV-40%20pages/monroe.bio.htm "...Jack Pendleton Monroe was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, on June 19, 1904, son of Jack P. and Florence Bowman Monroe. He attended Shaw High School in Cleveland, Ohio, before entering the U.S. Naval Academy from Ohio on August 2, 1923. As a Midshipman he was a member of the 150 pound crew and played class football. Graduated and commissioned Ensign on June 2, 1927, he subsequently progressed in rank to that of Rear Admiral, his date of rank July 1, 1956. After graduation from the Naval Academy in June 1927, he served for two years aboard the U.S.S. Tennessee, and in 1929 reported for flight training at the NAS Pensacola, Florida. Designated Naval Aviator in January 1930, he was assigned to Scouting Squadron 9-S, aviation unit of the U.S.S. Northampton. A year later he was transferred to Observation Squadron 3-B, attached to the U.S.S. Nevada. During a two-year period in 1932-34 he had shore duty at the NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where he commanded the Utility Unit of that station, and served in VP-4. From 1934 through 1937 he was attached to Bombing Squadron 3 based first on the U.S.S. Ranger, later on the U.S.S. Lexington. Returning to the NAS Pensacola, Florida, he served for one year as Planning Officer in the Assembly and Repair Department, and a second year as Aide to the Commandant. In the summer of 1939 he assumed command of the U.S.S. Gannet, and a year later was assigned to the Staff of CPW-2, based at NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In 1941 he joined the Staff of Commander Carrier Division One as Aide and Flag Lieutenant aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga. He was serving in that assignment when the United States entered World War II in December 1941. He received a Letter of Commendation with Ribbon from the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, for "outstanding performance of duty in the line of his profession as Flag Lieutenant and Signal Officer on the Staff of the Air Task Group Commander in preparation for, during, and after the successful engagements with the enemy in the Coral Sea on May 7 and 8, 1942...". Monroe was ordered next to the U.S.S. Bogue and was aboard that carrier escort when she participated in escort and anti-submarine operations in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater in early 1943. Upon his return to the United States in 1943 he was ordered to the Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. He received a Letter of Commendation, with authority to wear the Bronze Star on his Commendation Ribbon, from the Secretary of the Navy, as follows: "As head of the Armament Branch of the Engineering Division of the Bureau of Aeronautics from October 1943 to December 1944, you performed duties of vital importance with extraordinary foresight and efficiency in developing advanced aircraft armament, and in effecting sound armament installations in all types of Naval Aircraft...". In January 1945 he assumed command of the U.S.S. Kadashan Bay (CVE-76). "For meritorious service as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Kadashan Bay, operating as a unit of the Carrier Transport Squadron, Pacific Fleet, from February 6 to September 2, 1945..." he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The citation states that he “successfully delivered large quantities of critically needed combat aircraft, aviation material and replacement pilots, ground and aircrewmen to bases in the forward area of the Pacific¼and contributed to the success of our forces”. Detached from the Kadashan Bay after the the Japanese surrender he reported as commanding officer of the NS Sangley Point, Philippines, where he remained throughout 1946. In March 1947, he was ordered to the staff of Commander Air Force, Pacific Fleet, as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and two years later was transferred to duty at the Naval Ordnance Test Station, Inyokern, California. He reported on 8 January 1951 to Commander Operational Development Force, Atlantic, and served as Chief of Staff and Aide until August 1952. On 8 August 1952 he assumed command of the U.S.S. Tarawa CV-40 and remained in command of that carrier until August 1953. He was in command during the ship's 1953 Mediterranean Cruise. He next commanded the NAS Pensacola, Florida, from September 1953 to June 1955. For the next year he was Chief, Naval Air Base Training, Pensacola, following which he trained as a helicopter pilot, earning his wings in June 1956. He then spent a year as Director of Operation 53 in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department. In July 1956 he was promoted to Rear Admiral. At that time he became Commander, Middle East Force, until August 1957. On October 26, 1957 he reported as Commander Naval Air Missile Test Center, NAS Point Mugu, California, and from July 1958 was assigned additional duty as Commander Pacific Missile Test Range, NAS Point Mugu, California; in December 1958 this additional duty became his primary assignment until September 1961. He then became Director of the newly established Development Facilities, Astronautics and Ranges Division, Operation 76, in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. On March 7, 1963 he reported as Commander Naval Forces, Philippines; Commander in Chief, Pacific Representative, Philippines; and from January 15, 1964 to January 1, 1965 had additional duty as Commander Naval Air Bases, Philippines. On July 1, 1966 he was transferred to the Retired List of the U.S. Navy. "For exceptionally meritorious service...as Commander U.S. Naval Forces, Philippines, and Commander in Chief, Pacific Representative, Philippines, from March 1963 to June 1966..." he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. The citation further states in part: "Exercising outstanding leadership, sound judgment, and keen foresight in coordinating military requirements throughout the area of his command, Rear Admiral Monroe, through persuasive negotiation, effectively promoted intercountry relations and established and nurtured effective channels for liason where none previously existed, thereby furthering United States prestige and good will with foreign nations. "In addition to successfully meeting the monumental challenge of coordinating and providing logistic support to forces engaged in combat in Southeast Asia, he greatly facilitated increased communications capabilities by formulating and expediting communications improvements in shore stations under his command. As a result, these installations were advanced well ahead of original plans, thereby enabling timely direction of forces in sensitive politico-military operations...". Shortly after arriving aboard the Tarawa in 1952, Admiral Monroe married Mrs. Phyllis G. Sandvig of Windsor, North Carolina. In 1998, Admiral Monroe was living in retirement in Pensacola, Florida..." [23JUN2003]


YOUNG, REAR ADMIRAL Howard Leyland (Deceased) http://www.usstarawavets.org/CV-40%20pages/young.bio.htm "...Howard Leyland Young was born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 23, 1901, the son of Howard and Minerva Catherine (Bolling) Young. He attended St. Albans School, Washington, D.C., prior to his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, from the First District of Utah in 1919. As a Midshipman he participated in baseball. Graduated and commissioned Ensign on June 7, 1923, he subsequently progressed in rank, attaining that of Captain to date from May 1, 1943. On June 30, 1953, he was transferred to the Retired List of the U.S. Navy and was advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral on the basis of combat awards. Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1923, he joined the U.S.S. Florida, and in June 1924 was detached for brief instruction at the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode Island. In December of that year he reported aboard the U.S.S. Sturtevant, and after completing flight training at the NAS Pensacola, Florida, was designated Naval Aviator April 20, 1926. He was assigned in August to Observation Squadron Two, based on the USS Langley I (AV-3), and in June 1928 transferred to Fighting Squadron Two. He served at the NAS Pensacola, Florida, between August 1929 and June 1931, after which he had lighter-than-air training at the NAS Lakehurst, New Jersey. Qualifying as Naval Aviator (LTA) on September 28, 1932, he was assigned to the heavier-than-air unit attached to Airship Akron. Following the loss of the Akron off Barnegat Light in April 1933, he transferred to the Airship Macon for duty with her heavier-than-air unit. In August 1934 he joined the aviation unit of the U.S.S. Tuscaloosa, and from June 1935 until June 1936 served with Scouting Squadron Twelve on board that cruiser. For the next year he served with Bombing Squadron Two based on the U.S.S. Saratoga, and in June 1937 became Officer in Charge of the Experimental Divison, Operations Department, at the NAS Norfolk, Virginia. There he conducted rough water tests and accelerated tests of experimental and new production planes. In June 1939 he assumed command of Fighting Squadron Six based on the U.S.S. Enterprise, and in April 1941 became Commanding Officer of Air Group Six, attached to that aircraft carrier. At the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, planes from the Enterprise, which was returning to Hawaii from Wake Island, were the only carrier based aircraft to take part in the Pearl Harbor action, arriving during the middle of the first Japanese attack. Air Group Six, under his command, made the first attack on enemy held territory in February 1942, during the raids on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands, and in the latter part of that month participated in the raids on Marcus and Wake Islands. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic conduct in aerial battle, as Commander of a carrier air group, when, during the hours of darkness on the morning of February 1, 1942, in enemy waters, he successfully led the scouting and bombing squadrons one hundred and seventy-five miles over enemy controlled waters to their objectives, which all planes reached and attacked on schedule, surprising and inflicting great damage on the enemy. Again after successfully returning his squadrons to the carrier, he led another flight of bombers against a fully alerted enemy stronghold and this attack, which was made in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, caused great destruction to enemy installations" He also received a Letter of Commendation with authorization to wear the Commendation Ribbon and Combat "V" from the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and is entitled to the Ribbon for, and a facsimile of, the Presidential Unit Citation awarded the U.S.S. Enterprise. Returning to duty ashore in April 1942, he was assigned to the Advanced Carrier Training Group, Pacific Fleet, commanding that group from May to October 1942. He then became Commanding Officer of the newly-established Naval Air Station, Vero Beach, Florida, where he remained until July 1943. In August he assumed command of the USS Tangier (AV-8), and in January 1944 reported for fitting out duty in the U.S.S. Ommaney Bay at the Kaiser Shipbuilding Company, Vancouver, Washington. He assumed command of that escort aircraft carrier upon her commissioning February 2, 1944. For outstanding services while commanding that vessel he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V", and the Navy Cross. The citations follow, in part: Bronze Star Medal: "For meritorious achievement as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Ommaney Bay prior to and during operations against enemy Japanese forces on the Palau Islands in September and October 1944. Tireless and thorough in his detailed preparation for hazardous invasion operations, Captain Young welded his command into a strong fighting unit ready and competent to provide necessary air support for our assault forces despite previous lack of experience in combat. Under his skilled and forceful leadership, the officers, men and air personnel of the Ommaney Bay were responsible for severe and costly damage inflicted upon the enemy in facilities, installations and material destroyed, carrying out their missions with splendid teamwork despite difficult and unfavorable operating conditions..." Navy Cross: "For extraordinary heroism...in action against major ships of the Japanese Fleet in the Battle off Samar, October 25, 1944...Captain Young conducted his command gallantly and with courageous initiative, inspiring his officers and men and the Ommaney Bay air personnel throughout the critical and fiercely fought Battle for Leyte Gulf against a powerful force of Japanese battleships, cruisers and destroyers. His superb seamanship and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of overwhelming odds were important factors in turning potential defeat into a decisive victory over the Central Japanese Force..." During the invasion of Lingayen Gulf in the Philippine Islands, the Ommaney Bay was so badly damaged by Japanese bombers that she was later sunk by our own forces. Captain Young later related that "We took hits on the flight deck from a Japanese bomber, and fires broke out. The destroyers in the area couldn't help us much because of the fires. We started to get our (wounded) men off on these cots that were kept afloat by life jackets. There were several explosions, but the men and officers continued without a let up. Our casualties were less than 100". Other ships in the task force picked up the Ommaney Bay crewmen from the water and took them aboard. "Some of our men who were not wounded helped man guns aboard other ships," Young said. "That meant that our wounded were aboard ships taking part in the bombardments, which made it right tough for some of them." After the loss of the Ommaney Bay, Young was assigned in February 1945 to Fleet Air, West Coast, and during April and May 1945 had duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. Following service as Chief of Staff and Aide to Commander Fleet Air, Seattle, Washington, he reported in August 1946 as Commander FAW-4. He was Commanding Officer of the NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, from December 1946 until September 1947, when he joined the staff of Commander Carrier Division Six as Chief of Staff and Aide. Captain Young became Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Tarawa on February 28, 1948, and was in command during the ship's 1948-49 World Cruise. In April 1949 he reported as Navy Liaison Officer with the Air Defense Command, U.S. Air Force, Mitchell Field, Long Island, New York. In September 1949 he transferred, in a similar capacity, to the Continental Air Command, Mitchell Field, continuing to serve there until July 1950, when he joined the staff of Commander Naval Forces, Far East. Returning to the United States in January 1951, he was in command of the NAS New Orleans, Louisiana, until September 1952, after which he had duty in connection with General Courts Martial in the Twelfth Naval District, with headquarters in San Francisco, California. He was serving there when ordered relieved of all active duty, pending his retirement, effective June 30, 1953. Rear Admiral Young died on April 4, 1954, in Chula Vista, California..." [22JUL2003]


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