Evening star., 1943-01-02
Nimitz Calls BOMBING
0fWake Only Sample
Of Things 10 Come
Foresees Jops' Destruction
In Presenting Awards to
Army and Navy Heroes
By the Associated Press

] BY the Associated Press
HICKAM FIELD, Honolulu, Jan.
2.-Admiral Chester w. Nimitz de-
clared yesterday the Japanese could
conclude that the United States air
raid on Jap-held Wake Island was
only sample of things to come.
The supreme commander of the
mid Pacific forces presented awards
to a group of heroes including men
who took part in the raid on Wake
Island December "a.
OF the raid, in which $4,000 pounds
of bombs caused devastating damage,
Admiral Nimitz said:
Il am glad to have this oppor-
tunlty of starting the New Year by
making recognition of the splendidly
executed mission of our Army Air
Forces.
Without warning. the morning
before Christmas the japanese on
Wake Island were suddenly pre-
sented with $4,000 pounds of aerial
bombs, most of which struck and
damaged military targets. All our
planes attacked from low attitudes
and returned to base on schedule.
with neither planes nor personnel
harmed by enemy artillery which was
finally awakened by the visitors.
Complete Unity Noted.
ITO me, this operation epitomizes
the complete unity with which all
fighting forces in the Pacific-the
Army, Navy, Marine Corps and
Coast Guard-are cooperating their
strength and skill against the enemy
This raid and others like it will
not eject the enemy from Wake.
Such raids will. however, serve
notice on the enemy as we'll as give
assurance to our countrymen, that
we have men with spirit and reso-
luton and skill to handle the tools
that are going to drive the Jap
back to his own islands
To those of us in the theater Of
operations there have been vex-
atlous delays in getting ready
! Building of bases and transport of
| troops and material are but a few
of the tasks that had to be done
! before we could undertake such
an operation as this raid on Wake. >
Let the enemy take such consola
ton as he may from the thought
that this raid was only a sample
OF things to come" the admiral de
clared.
Praises Gen. Ramey.
| For the preparation and planning
OF this operation Brig. Gen. Howard
Ramey deserves great credit. Gen
Ramey, of Waynesboro, Miss. is heao
OF the Mid-Pacific Bombing Com
mand). For its efficient execution
we thank Col. Matheny and his
flight group. Col, William A. Math.
eny OF Corrington. N Oak. led the
Wake Island raid His wife, Mrs
Clarice B Matheny. resides al
Hampton, Va. He served at Boiling
Field here in 1884,
1t is heartening to know that
thousands of other young airmen OF
the armed services are eager anc
ready to carry out similar missions
/ The courage, determination and
airmanship of Col. Matheny and
his officers and men indicate the
response we can expect from the
personnel of all services in main
tanning a common front against
the enemy in the Pacific
! Made of exactly the same stuff
are two destroyer shippers and two
submarine commanders who re-
ceive awards this morning
! One, Comdr Orville Gregor took
his destroyer. Aaron Ward, under
the very guns of an enemy battle
ship to deliver torpedo attack in
the third battle of Savo Island His
ship was hit by salvo of l4-inch
shells and was raked by cruiser fire
| but she lived to continue the fight.
Products of American Way.
"All of you know the story of the
Seaplane Tender Mcfarland. The
determination and resourceful
tenacity of her captain, 1t. Comdr
John Alderman is an inspiration
to the rest of us.
1T is the American way of life
that produces such men as these
1t is their individual enterprise and
| initiative and common courage that
are our principal weapons for vic
tory. We are thankful for the val
| orouS dpyotion of orr hrotbere IL,
arms who have stopped the enemy
/ during the precarious months of the
| past year.
The new year brings heartening
assurance. We are getting trained
personnel and shipment for our
tremendous task
we have the unity and the will
to destroy the enemy
Admiral Nimitz presented the
Distinguished Flying Cross to six
flyers who participated in the Wake
Island raid, Navy Crosses to the
commanders OF submarine and two
destroyers for action elsewhere and
a Silver Star to submarine gun
ner's mate.
| The following received the Distin-
guished Flying Cross:
| Col. Matheny Majs. Jonathan E
Coxwell of Billings. Mont; Francis
A. Smith of North East. Md, and
Edward A. Jurkens, Sterling, ILL.,
and CaptS. Dana B. Billings of Rip
on. Nebr., and Philip Kreig of Oak
Park, Wash.