Medals & Citations

All awarded for operations 11 May, 1945

VICTORIES

Presidential Unit Citation

 

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

WASHINGTON

  The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the

UNITED STATES SHIP HUGH W. HADLEY

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

"For extraordinary heroism in action as Fighter Direction Ship on Radar Picket Station Number 15 during an attack by approximately 100 enemy Japanese planes, forty miles northwest of the Okinawa Transport Area, May 11, 1945. Fighting valiantly against waves of hostile suicide and dive-bombing planes plunging toward her from all directions, the U.S.S. HUGH HADLEY sent up relentless barrages of antiaircraft fire during one of the most furious air-sea battles of the war. Repeatedly finding her targets, she destroyed twenty enemy planes, skillfully directed her Combat Air Patrol in shooting down at least forty others and, by her vigilance and superb battle readiness, avoided damage to herself until subjected to a coordinated attack by ten Japanese planes. Assisting in the destruction of all ten of these, she was crashed by one bomb and three suicide planes with devastating effect. With all engineering spaces flooded and with a fire raging amidships, the gallant officers and men of the HUGH W. HADLEY fought desperately against almost insurmountable odds and, by their indomitable determination, fortitude and skill, brought the damage under control, enabling their ship to be towed to port and saved. Her brilliant performance in this action reflects the highest credit upon the HUGH W. HADLEY and the United States Naval Service."

 
 
 

For the President,
 
 

Secretary of the Navy

Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon

   

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY CROSS to

LIEUTENANT PATRICK HENRY McGANN

UNITED STATES NAVY

for service as set forth in the following 

 

CITATION:


For extraordinary heroism as Gunnery Officer of the U.S.S. Hugh W. Hadley, Radar Picket Ship, during an attack on the vessel by more than one hundred enemy Japanese planes off Okinawa, the morning of May 11, 1945.  Skillfully directing his men in the fight against waves of hostile suicide and dive-bombing planes attacking his ship from all directions, Lieutenant McGann sent up barrages of antiaircraft fire and, by courage and determination in maintaining effective gunfire throughout the prolonged engagement, shot down at least nineteen Japanese planes before the ship was finally crashed by a bomb and three Kamikazes.. Lieutenant McGann's leadership and professional skill in the face of overwhelming opposition reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

 

 

For the President,
 
 

Secretary of the Navy

NAVY CROSS

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to

HENRY JOSEPH WIZA

CHIEF GUNNER'S MATE

UNITED STATES NAVY

for service as set forth in the following 

 

CITATION:


For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Gun Captain of a Five-Inch Mount on board the U.S.S. HUGH W. HADLEY during an attack on that vessel by more than one hundred enemy Japanese aircraft off Okinawa, the morning of May 11, 1945. Acting on his own initiative when he sighted an enemy plane diving on his ship without being fired at during overwhelming Japanese suicide attacks, WIZA shifted his mount to local control and, skillfully training his guns on the target, succeeded in shooting it down. By his prompt action and courage in the face of grave hazards, WIZA rendered invaluable assistance in saving his ship from destruction, and his devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Services."

 
 

For the President,
 
 

Secretary of the Navy

 

 


SILVER STAR MEDAL

 

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL posthumously to

LEO ARNOLD NICKOLAS

GUNNER'S MATE SECOND CLASS

UNITED STATES NAVAL 

for service as set forth in the following 

 

CITATION:

 

     “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Gun Captain of No. Four 40-mm Gun on board the U.S.S. HUGH W. HADLEY, in action against enemy Japanese forces off Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on May 11, 1945.  Blown a considerable distance from his mount by his blast of the enemy bomb, exploded during a prolonged and terrific Japanese aerial attack, NICHOLS instantly returned to his gun and led his shipmates in resuming fire, sending up a steady stream of anti-aircraft shells against an enemy plane plunging toward him.  Steadfast and courageous, he remained at his perilous station in the path of the onrushing Japanese suicide craft, riddling the hostile plane with repeated hits before it crashed into his mount, mortally wounding NICHOLAS and his crew members.  His indomitable spirit, heroic conduct and unswerving devotion to duty ln the face of almost certain death were inspiring to those with whom he served and reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.”  “His gallantly gave his life for his county.”


 

  

 

For the President,
 
 

Secretary of the Navy

 

 

SILVER STAR MEDAL


 

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL posthumously to

IVAN LeROY BILLS

GUNNER'S MATE THIRD CLASS

UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following 

 

CITATION:
 

   "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a member of the Crew of  No. Four 40-mm Gun on board the U.S.S. HUGH W. HADLEY, in action against enemy Japanese forces off Okinawa, Ryukyu Island, on May 11, 1945. Blown a considerable distance from his mount by the blast of an enemy bomb. exploded during a prolonged and terrific Japanese aerial attack, BILLS instantly returned to his gun and sided his shipmates in resuming fire, sending up a steady stream of anti-aircraft shells against an enemy plane plunging toward him. Steadfast and courageous, he remained at his perilous station in the path of the onrushing suicide craft, riddling the hostile with repeated hits before it crashed into his mount, mortally wounding BILLS and his fellow crew members. His indomitable spirit, heroic conduct and devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death were inspiring to those with whom he served and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

 
 

For the President,
 
 

Secretary of the Navy

 

 

SILVER STAR MEDAL


 
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to

GEORGE OMAR HODGSON

COXSWAIN

UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

"For heroic achievement while serving on board the U.S.S. HUGH W. HADLEY
during an attack on that vessel by more than one hundred enemy Japanese aircraft
off Okinawa, May 11,1945.  When his ship was struck by a bomb and three suicide
planes during a furious air-sea battle, HODGSON braved the raging fires and
flying fragments of metal from exploding ammunition and, pressing into the heart
of the fire with a hose, encouraged other crew members to assist in extinguishing
the flames. By his inspiring leadership and determination in the face of grave
personnel hazards;
HODGSON contributed materially to the saving of the ship and upheld the highest
traditions of the United States Naval Service.

 

HODGSON is authorized to wear the Combat "V"

 
 

For the President,
 
 

Secretary of the Navy

BRONZE STAR MEDAL

       
   

United States Pacific Fleet

 

Flagship of the Commander-in-Chief

 

The Commander in Chief, United States Pacific fleet, takes pleasure in commending

 

LIEUTENANT (JG) WILLIAM HAVEN KING

 

UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE

 

 

for service as set forth in the following

 CITATION:

  "For distinguishing himself by meritorious achievement aboard a United States  

destroyer off Okinawa, Nansei Shoto, on 11 May 1945.  By cool and capable  

direction, he caused emergency fire pumps and hose to be rigged and led to the

 fires after his ship sustained extensive damage and assisted to a great degree in  

the eventual saving of his ship.  His courage, leadership and devotion to duty were    an inspiration to all with whom he served and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. 

 

                                                                                                         

  Commendation Ribbon authorized

 
 
 

R. A. Spruance

Admiral, U.S. Navy.

 

                            

          NAVY COMMENDATION

     

Awards Day aboard Hadley, 6 December 1945, at Hunter's Point,

San Francisco, CA

Rear L-R H. Wiza CGM, R. Muntz CBM, LTJG C. Seitz, LTJG J. Pruden,

LCDR H. Robbins, LT P. McGann, LCDR, R. Brownlie, LTJG B. O'Donnell, LCDR J. Couball.

Front L-R J. Joseph SC2/c, J. Walker FC3/c, D. Arrowsmith WT2/c, E. Horton MM3/c.

 

 

 

LT McGann                                                  LT Robins

 

              

   Wiza CGM                                           E. Horton MM3/c


The presenter shown above is Capt. Leonard C. Chamberlain, Hadley's first Captain.

KNOWN USS HADLEY MEDAL HONOREES

 

MULLANEY, BARON J. CAPT(CDR) NAVY CROSS
McGANN, PATRICK H. LIEUTENANT NAVY CROSS
DANIELL,
JAMES L.		 LIEUTENANT
JUNIOR GRADE		 SILVER STAR
PRUDEN,
JOHN B.		 LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE SILVER STAR
WIZA,
HENRY J.		 CHIEF GUNNER'S MATE SILVER STAR
NICHOLAS,
LEO A.		 GUNNER'S
MATE SECOND CLASS             		SILVER STAR
 POSTHUMOUSLY
BILLS,
IVAN L.		 GUNNER'S  MATE THIRD CLASS SILVER STAR POSTHUMOUSLY
JOSEPH,
JEFFER  MOWA 		SHIPS COOK SECOND CLASS SILVER STAR
CAZEL, JOHN J. SEAMAN
FIRST CLASS		 SILVER STAR
POSTHUMOUSLY
COUBALL,
JOHN PAUL		 LIEUTENANT COMMANDER LEGION OF MERIT
O'DONNELL,
BERNARD		 LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE NAVY  & MARINE CORPS MEDAL
ROBBINS,
HUNTER		 LIEUTENANT COMMANDER BRONZE STAR
MUNTZ,
RALPH H.		 CHIEF BOATSWAIN MATE BRONZE STAR
CLOUSE,
FRANCIS C.		 CHIEF GUNNER'S MATE BRONZE STAR
 POSTHUMOUSLY
HODGSON, GEORGE COXSWAIN BRONZE STAR
ARROWSMITH,
DAVID A.		 WATERTENDER SECOND CLASS BRONZE STAR
HORTON,
ERNEST C.		 MACHINIST MATE THIRD CLASS BRONZE STAR
 SMITH,
 JAMES R.		 SEAMAN
FIRST CLASS		 BRONZE STAR
POSTHUMOUSLY
TOO MANY TO LIST Over 100 PURPLE HEART1
KING,
WILLIAM H.		 LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE NAVY COMMENDATION
ALL CREW MEMBERS ABOARD 11 MAY 1945 COMBAT ACTION RIBBON
ALL CREW MEMBERS ABOARD 11 MAY 1945 PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION2

1 Total number of Purple Hearts awarded will not equal total number of Wounded in Action. Some wounds
were not thought to be severe enough to warrant awarding a Purple Heart.

2 Blue star was worn on PUC until 1949. After this date only a bronze star is authorized to be worn on ribbon
in lieu of a second award.
 

Service Ribbons
 

ALL CREW MEMBERS ABOARD AMERICAN THEATER MEDAL
ALL CREW MEMBERS ABOARD ASIATIC PACIFIC THEATER MEDAL1
ALL CREW MEMBERS ABOARD WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL

1. Star is for Battle of Okinawa.

Anyone with knowledge of any person missing from this list should notify the Webmaster.

 

We are still getting recognition.
See this letter.

This letter was presented to all Hadley Sailors present at our 15th Reunion Banquet Night,
11 May 2003
San Antonio, TX

 

 From the Governor of Maryland

 

 

This certificate was presented by the Governor
of Maryland's Emissary at the Catholic Chapel,
US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland 
May 2007

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