Evening star., 1942-06-18
Nimitz Gives Awards
To Submarine and
Aviation Heroes
Presentations Are Made
For Feots Extending
Bock to Jonuory
By the Associated Press.

ABOARD A FIGHTING SHIP,
Pearl Harbor, June 18.-Admiral
Chester W. Nimitz, commander in
chief Of the Pacific Fleet, bestowed
medals on the personnel OF two
widely divergent elements of the
f1eet-submarines and aviation-in
ceremonies yesterday.
Navy Crosses were awarded to
submarine commanders for actions
extending back to January and Dis
tinguished Flying Crosses to air
veterans of the attack on the Japa-
nese-held Marshall and Gilbert
Islands last January 31-February /.
The presentations were made at
the end Of a speech In which Ad-
miral Nimitz eulogized the heroes Of
the battle of Midway.
With their brothers in-arms Of
the surface squadrons, he said of
the submarine and aviation person.
mel, they are as one in indomitable
courage and cool resourcefulness in
action with the enemy"
He gave assurance that the many
acts OF outstanding gallantry and
courage In the Pacific battle en-
gagements will not 60 unrewarded"
and that necessary recommended
tions will go forward as rapidly as
circumstances permit"
Navy Crosses Awarded.
Recipients OF Navy Crosses were:
1t. Comdr. Frank w. Fenno. West
minister, Mass, commanding the
U. s. S. Trout, who took his SUBJ
marine through enemy-controlled
waters In January. 1942, on a spe-
cial mission for the War DEPART
ment. Returning to his base with A
special cargo, Comdr. Fenno led his
command against japanese ship
ping, successfully attacking and
sinking enemy vessels. He reached
port without damage to his own
snip or injury to personnel.
1t. Comdr. Willis A. Lent w.st
Roxbury, Mass. also commanding a
meet submarine. took his ship on
aggressive patrol against the enemy
IN hazardous waters. Despite jan
anese air search, he sank tho,1s.
ands OF tons of enemy shipping
also returning to his base without
damage to his submarine or per-
sonnel casualties.
Lt. Comdr. John L. Detar, Lin.
coin, Nebr, submarine commander.
led his ship against the enemy in
the latter's own waters. In the
face OF strong Japanese surface
patrols. he sank much enemy ship
ping and damaged others. His ves-
sci. too. returned safely without
material or personnel losses.
d. r. C. Presentations.
Awarded Distinguished Flying
Crosses were:
1t. Comdr william o. Burch. ir
Paducah, KY, who, as commanding
oncer Of q scouting squadron. led
carrier planes against the Gilbert
Islands January 81. 1912. in a highly
ef1cient manner. Personally, he
made a direct bomb hit on an enemy
seaplane tender and sank a four
engined patrol plane in the water
by machine-gun strafing.
1t. James s. Gray, U. s. N, Wau-
watosa, Wis. who on February 1,
1912, led a bombing and strafing
attack against Maloelap Island in
the face of strong enemy aerial
opposition. In the action that fol-
lowed he shot down two japanese
fighter planes.
1t. q. g. Ebert s. McCuskey, U.
8. N. r.. who took his carrier based
fighter plane into combat against an
enemy four-engined bomber sea-
plane during the action in the Gil
bert Islands January 81, 1912. He
helped shoot down that craft, which
was attempting to attack his ship.
1t. q. g. Edwin j. Kroeger, U. s.
N. r., Akron. Ohio, who took part
in the carrier-plane attack on Taroa
Island. February l, 1912. Subse-
quently. he was engaged by an
enemy fighter and suffered a serious
foot injury from the latter's ma
chine-gun fire. Although he was
unable to use that foot in controlling
his plane. he managed to maneuver
into position for his gunner to shoot
down the Japanese attacker. Then.
faint from loss Of blood, he brought
his own craft safely back to the
carrier.
1t. q. g. Wilmer E. Rawie, u. 8.
NJ, Chicago, who assisted in the
bombardment and strafing of
Maloelap Island February l, 1912,
despite heavy enemy fighter and
anti-aircraft opposition. In the en-
suring action, he downed a japanese
fighter plane.
Ensign John p Adams, U. s. N. r..
Hiawatha, Kans., who heroicaHy
piloted his carrier fighter plane into
action against an enemy four
engined patrol bomber during the
Gilbert Islands attack and assisted
in the destruction of the japanese
craft.