Laureled Sons of Dartmouth

Men Cited for Heroism and Meritorious Achievement

FIRST LIEUTENANT HAROLD L. BOND II '42, whose letter from Italy is printed in this issue, has been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action in the Cassino area. His citation reads:

"With his unit in a defensive position, Lt. Bond moved past the advance outposts to set up an observation post in enemy patrolled territory. Skillfully pushing forward through intense machine gun and small arms fire, he occupied a position from which excellent observation of the enemy would be possible and then daringly maintained his position through a concentration of mortar and artillery fire sweeping this area in preparation for an enemy counterattack. With cool determination and outstanding courage Lt. Bond directed accurate and highly effective mortar fire against the attacking enemy, steadfastly refusing to leave his hazardously exposed post until the advance had been crushed. His magnificent valor and exemplary devotion to duty contributed materially to the successful defense of his unit's position and were an inspiration to all who witnessed his deeds."

Lieutenant Bond is the son of Harold C. Bond '11 and Alice Dixon Bond, literary editor of The Boston Herald. His home is in Newtonville, Mass.

MAJOR HUDSON ELIOT BRIDGE USMC, '40, has won the Silver Star for gallantry in action in the Pacific. His citation reads:

"For conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy when in the early.stages of the landing at Parry Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, on February 22, 1944, he daringly exposed himself to heavy mortar and machine gun fire in order to reconnoiter and locate the positions from which the enemy was delivering devastating enfilade and rear machine gun fire on the landing beach. He located an enemy machine gun firing from a pillbox on the flank of the beach and another enemy machine gun which was firing into the rear of friendly troops from the rear. Quickly securing heavy guns which were then landing, he boldly led them into position and directed their fire at point blank range, destroying the enemy pillbox and the machine gun position in the pier. By his actions he secured the flank of the beach and saved the lives of many troops who were helplessly exposed to the devastating enemy fire as they hit the beach. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the naval service."

Major Bridge left for the South Pacific in June 1943. His home is in Walpole, New Hampshire.

MAJOR ROBERT C. DEMPSEY '40, USAAF, was reported missing in action on July 9, 1943. Notice of his promotion to the rank of Major arrived at his base the day of his last mission over Sicily. In December, 1943, his family was notified that the War Department had sufficient evidence to declare him killed in action as of July 9, 1943.

Major Dempsey's awards, with the cita tions, follow:

Air Medal: "For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flights, having participated in 10 sorties of less than 2½. hours duration against the enemy in the Middle East Theater."

Four Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal: "For having destroyed one enemy aircraft and for having participated in 50 sorties of less than 2½ hours duration against the enemy in the Middle East Theater."

Distinguished Flying Cross: "For distinguished and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Middle East Theater of Operations from March 13, 1943 to July 9, 1943. During this period Major Dempsey's keen judgment, fortitude and devotion to duty were displayed in many combat missions against the enemy in the Middle East Theater. His superb leadership of his squadron rendered invaluable service to his organization in its successful operations in the North African campaign."

This award was made posthumously on August 24, 1943, as was the award of the Purple Heart Medal.

Major Dempsey began his distinguished career when he got his wings at Kelly Field, Texas, in December 1941. He left for overseas duty as a First Lieutenant in November 1942. He was Operations Officer of a P-40 Fighter Squadron. He was made Commanding Officer of a Fighter Squadron in March 1943. His home was in Flossmoor, Illinois.

SECOND LIEUTENANT ROLAND S. TREMBLE '42, USAAF, has been awarded the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters for meritorious achievement in aerial flight while participating in sustained operational activities against the enemy.

Lieutenant Tremble is stationed somewhere in Italy with a B-24 Liberator Bomber Group. His home is in West Englewood, New Jersey.

FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY and intrepidity during action against enemy Japanese forces on Bougainville Island in the Southwest Pacific in November 1943, Marine Captain John W. O'Neill '40 has been awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously. He was mortally wounded in action during the Battle of Piva Forks, Bougainville Island, while leading a rifle platoon and died in a field hospital several hours later.

His citation reads: "Establishing a combat outpost in advance of his battalion's front lines on November 18, 1943, Captain O'Neill fearlessly conducted the defense of his position and, during the 38 hours of action, he and his men destroyed 30 Japanese and obtained enemy orders and maps of great value. Participating in an attack by his battalion against a strongly entrenched hostile position on November 24, Captain O'Neill unhesitatingly advanced alone in full view of the enemy in order to reconnoiter the Japanese position. Cooly returning to his men, he ordered an attack which destroyed the enemy but was mortally wounded while leading the assault. His aggressive fighting spirit and intrepidity under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

At the time of his enlistment Captain O'Neill was doing graduate work at Harvard University. His father, James M. O'Neill, is a Dartmouth graduate, Class of 1907.

CAPTAIN HOWARD L. FOGG JR. '38, USAAF, a flight commander with Thunderbolt fighters over Europe has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He had already been awarded the Air Medal with "clusters" and has amassed more than 70 combat sorties over enemy territory. In winning the DFC the Fighter Command orders read: "The skillful and zealous manner in which Captain Fogg has sought out the enemy and engaged him in aerial combat, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions, serve as an inspiration to his fellow fliers. Captain Fogg's actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

T HE FOLLOWING MEN have won decorations and I regret the fact that more information is not available regarding their citations and records.

LT. SANDERSON SLOANE '39, US A AC, missing in action over Germany, has received the Air Medal and two Oak Leaf Clusters.

LT. ROBERT BLAIR JR. '44, of the American Field Service, has been awarded the British African Cross for distinguished service in the African campaign.

LT. RICHARD R. STEINER '45, US A AC, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for gallantry in action in the South Pacific.

S/SGT. RODERICK N. SHEPHERD '45, USAAF, has been awarded the Air Medal and 10 Oak Leaf Clusters while serving 14 months in the Mediterranean Theatre as a turret gunner on a B-26.

LT. (JG) CALHOUN STERLING '40, USNAC, has been awarded the Navy Air Medal.

MAJOR FRANKLIN A. RICHARDSON '38, USAAF, has been awarded the Air Medal.

S/SGT. C. RAY TROUTNER JR. '38, USAAC, has been awarded the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Presidential Citation. Radio operator in transport planes, he has recently returned from two months in Africa and twelve months in India where he had sixty-two round trips to China.

FLIGHT OFFICER, Bombardier and Navigator, Kenneth I. Todd '32, USAAF, has been awarded the Air Medal. He flew 50 combat missions over Sicily and Italy and is now an instructor in this country having returned in February 1944.

LIEUTENANT FRANK C. DRESSNER USMCR, J Dartmouth Class of 1941, was killed at Guadalcanal on November 11, 1942. His regiment after five weeks in Samoa was sent to Guadalcanal to aid the Marines trapped there. He reached there on November 4th and was immediately sent into heavy action. Just one week later while leading his company in an advance attack against the enemy he was hit by a piece of shrapnel and instantly killed. "For outstanding courage, ability, and devotion to duty," Lieutenant Dressner received posthumously a Presidential Citation and the Purple Heart Medal.

FIRST LIEUTENANT STANLEY P. WRIGHT '42, USMCR, has been awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously for gallantry and intrepidity in action on Bougainville Island last November.

The son of Professor William K. Wright of Dartmouth College, Lieutenant Wright was killed in action at Bougainville on November 13, 1943, while attempting alone to silence an enemy machine gun. He received his commission in July, 1943. His citation reads:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as leader of a platoon of the Third Marine Division acting as combat patrol in enemy Japanese territory on Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands, November 13, 1943. When his platoon encountered hostile machine-gun nests and snipers and was immobilized by their accurate and determined fire, Lt. Wright daringly worked his way forward alone to a point near one of the Japanese guns in order to reconnoiter the hostile emplacements.

"As he courageously directed the maneuvers of his men from this position, the enemy opened fire. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, he stood up to silence the gun with a grenade and was instantly killed. First Lieutenant Wright's fearless leadership and heroic devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

THE LEGION OF MERIT MEDAL is pinned on Captain Arthur H. Dearing '14 (MC), USN, medical officer in command of the U. S. Naval Hospital, Oakland, California, for outstanding service as Force Medical Officer on Admiral Halsey's staff. Captain Earl R. Shipp, USN. Assistant Commandant of the Twelfth Naval District, is shown making the award.