Laureled Sons of Dartmouth
Men Cited for Heroism and Meritorious Achievement
IN JANUARY, Lieut. Gen. Holland M. Smith, in command of the Marines in the Saipan operation, presented the Silver Star Medal to MAJOR JAMES A. DONOVAN JR. '39, USMC.
The citation for this award follows: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as executive, officer of a Marine infantry battalion on Saipan, Marianas Islands, on the night of 17th June, 1944. When the battalion's attack was held up at darkness by strong enemy cave positions to the immediate front, it was necessary to quickly consolidate a defensive line, and reorganize the battalion after dark. The enemy machine gun and rifle fire, plus the fatigue of the men and the loss of all the company commanders and two company executive officers by enemy action, added to the difficulties of the situation. Major Donovan was assigned the task of consolidating and reorganizing the right half of the battalion sector. Heedless of the danger inherent in such a situation, he immediately set about this undertaking. By his clear perception of the difficulties to be surmounted, and his cool and efficient action, he proved a source of inspiration to the officers and men in that sector and speedily carried out his assigned mission. Major. Donovan's gallant conduct and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
It was four years last November that Major Donovan was ordered up for active duty. He has been in the Pacific two and a half years; was in the Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian campaigns, in addition to eight months spent in Iceland. His home is in Chicago.
CAPTAIN JOHN T. MUNROE '4l was killed in action in Germany on November 19, 1944, while leading his tank company against heavy enemy opposition. In recog- nition of his outstanding bravery and courage he has been awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously.
The citation accompanying the award reads in part as follows: As a company commander, Captain Munroe displayed outstanding qualities of leadership and daring by leading his company in numerous attacks and always reaching his objective in a minimum of time. With total disregard for his own personal safety, upon reaching a minefield, Captain Munroe dismounted from the comparative safety of his tank while the area was subjected to heavy enemy fire, made a reconnaissance on foot to locate a gap, and then proceeded to lead his company through the obstacle without a single casualty.
Throughout the bitter and hazardous fighting of this period, during which his company encountered much enemy opposition in the form of artillery, mortar and anti-tank fire, Captain Munroe repeatedly accomplished his mission. Dismounting from his tank in the face of heavy enemy fire, he organized the remaining squad of infantry and led them in clearing out the town during which he was struck by enemy fire. The superior leadership and bravery displayed by Captain Munroe served as an inspiration to his men and his actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM G. CLEAVES '40, USAAF, has added four Oak Leaf Clusters to his Air Medal (January 1945 issue) for "meritorious achievement" in piloting a B-17 in the biggest attacks on Nazi Europe. He has piloted his Fort more than 20,000 miles against German military installations.
MAJOR HAROLD S. FARWELL '37, with the 12 th AAF B-25 Group in the Mediterranean Theater, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for outstanding work with this group.
He led a formation of his unit's Mitchell bombers in attacking a vitally important fuel dump near Mestre, Italy. This dump had been supplying a large part of the German army in Northern Italy and its destruction would greatly hamper operations against Allied troops in the Po valley. The enemy had strong anti-aircraft defenses in the area to defend this allimportant target.
Major Farwell led his B-25S out to attack this target, and long before reaching the area heavy clouds and rough weather made observation and control of the bombers extremely difficult. Enemy anti-aircraft fire began tracking the formation, but he led his bombers skillfully through this without their receiving any damage. As they neared the target the anti-aircraft barrage became increasingly intense and over the target the B-25S were repeatedly holed before the bombs were released. Major Farwell steadfastly led his bombers in a precision release that completely obliterated the target, causing large fires and tremendous damage.
"A veteran of more than forty combat missions, he has consistently shown his high level of combat skill in leading his unit on many of its highly successful missions over Northern Italy and France." His outfit has won the Distinguished Unit Citation.
FIRST LIEUTENANT CHARLES R. MANN '38, AUS, has received the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during the Battle of Normandy. He previously received the Purple Heart for wounds received during the fierce fighting around St. Lo. He is now Motor Transportation Officer at Fort Preble, Maine.
MAJOR HILDRUS A. POINDEXTER M'A7 has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in support of military operations against the enemy at an island base in the Southwest Pacific Area. During the period of 15 June 1944 to 30 October 1944, Major Poindexter not only acted in the capacity of an Infantry Division Malariologist but also performed the additional duties of an Island Command Malariologist. By his faithful, energetic, aggressive and skillful work on the problems of malarial control, the rate of malaria fever among members of the command was materially reduced. Major Poindexter's services reflect great credit upon himself and the Military service.
TIEUTENANT MARSHALL LEE BREKKE '40, JU USNR, has received the Legion of Merit for his "exceptionally meritorious conduct" in leading the work of a combat demolition unit in the invasion of Southern France during August 1944.
Lieutenant Brekke, displaying the utmost skill and energy, organized and trained his unit in the hazardous procedure of clearing underwater obstacles and beach obstructions and reinforced defense positions to enable the initial boat waves to land and discharge assault troops over the selected beaches. Despite the nature of beach demolitions in amphibious warfare and the heavily obstructed inshore approaches encountered during the assault operations, he successfully led his unit to his assigned beach, cleared the obstacles and within a short time opened a channel for the passage of assault boats. His expert and gallant action in effectively clearing the approach channel contributed materially to the expeditions launching of the assault and the prompt establishment of the beachhead.
The extraordinary ability, cool and courageous action, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Brekke reflected great credit upon himself and the Naval Service.
FIRST LIEUTENANT LESTER T. CHASE '39, USMCR, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal. His citation reads:
For meritorious achievement in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine tank company on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, from 18 to 30 September, 1944. Upon landing on 18 September and learning that his company commander had been killed, Lieutenant Chase assumed command and directed the company with outstanding and inspiring leadership. On 28 September, while in command of tank operations against Ngesebus Island, he saved many tanks by his judgment. When the three leading tanks were rendered inoperative by deep water, Lt. Chase immediately chose an alternative route, backed the other tanks down to shallow water, and successfully guided them to an opportune landing area. He then reorganized the prearranged tank operation plan and expeditiously directed the tank platoons in close support of infantry units. Lieutenant Chase continued to direct successfully these tank operations and his actions throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
SERGEANT JAMES H. LATHAM '29, USAAF, serving- in Italy, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for "meritorious achievement in support of combat operations against the enemy."
LIEUTENANT HERBERT VANDER VATE JR. J '40, USAAF, who has been missing over France since August 28, 1944, has been awarded the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters for "meritorious achievement."
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WINTHROP H. ROBBINS '42, AUS, recently received a sealed citation from Lt. General Patton, an excerpt of which read "for valor and courage in combat," also the Silver Star and ribbons. He landed in Normandy on D-Day plus six.
Up to the present time no further information concerning the above awards has been received.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL DANIEL J. MINAJ HAN JR. '37, AUS, has been awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in France. During the period October 22, 1944, to December 8, 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Minahan served as a battalion commander of field artillery. Under his superior leadership, his battalion maintained an outstanding combat efficiency and contributed largely to the success of the operations of the division.
Lieutenant Colonel Minahan was previously awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action, and he holds, also, the Air Medal for meritorious achievement as an artillery aerial observer during the period August 17 to December 8, 1944.
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS PHILIP O. GRAY '45, AUS, has been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge which is awarded for satisfactory performance of duty in ground combat against the enemy.
CAPTAIN JOHN C. RICHTER JR. '37, USAMC, has been awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action from 13 July to 31 December 1944 in France, Germany and Luxembourg. "Captain Richter placed the welfare of the wounded above the risk of his own life," and he performed "many deeds which exemplify his courage, skill, fortitude and zealous devotion to duty which are in accordance with the highest traditions of the medical depart' ment of the Army of the United States."
CAPTAIN GEORGE R. HANNA '39, AUS, outfielder extraordinary on Dartmouth baseball teams, has been awarded the Bronze Star for bravery in the Philippine campaigns of Leyte and Luzon.
LIEUTENANT WILLIAM R. HAYES '40, A USAC, has received the Air Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation.
CAPTAIN ADNA R. UNDERHILL '36, AUS, has been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry on duty with the Special Service Force in the European Theater.
COLONEL DAVID C. SCHILLING '39 (see February '44 issue) is probably our most decorated alumnus. One of the leading aces in the European Theater he had up to December 1944 downed 34 1/2 planes. His decorations include the Air Medal with 13 Oak Leaf Clusters, the DFC with six Oak Leaf Clusters, the Silver Star with two clusters, and the Distinguished Service Cross with one cluster.
Lieutenant General Spaatz cited Colonel Schilling as follows: "Your outstanding heroism and splendid leadership of Dec. 23, which enabled the 56th Fighter Group to destroy 37 enemy aircraft, has been brought to my attention. For the aggressiveness, courage, and determination to destroy the enemy which you displayed on this occasion, in personally accounting for five of the enemy destroyed, I award you an Oak Leaf Cluster to the DSC. The inspiring leadership and acts of personal bravery displayed on your many combat missions stand high in the tradition of the Army Air Forces."
CORPORAL RICHARD B. JONES '45, AUS, serving with an Infantry Division, 7th U. S. Army, has been awarded the Silver Star for participating in a 78-hour patrol behind the enemy lines. He had previously won the Bronze Star last January at Kilstett for rushing two anti-tank guns into position under heavy fire.
CAPTAIN HAROLD T. RICH '15, AUS, in the Transportation Corps in India, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for service in the combat area.
CAPTAIN JAMES TIMOTHY '40, AUS, for many acts of gallantry and for distinguished service has been awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Croix de Guerre, and has been recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross.
LIEUTENANT (JG) BENJAMIN F. FARBER JR. '36, USNR, has received the Air Medal posthumously for aerial combat against the enemy on December 4, 1943.
LIEUTENANT MERRILL A. PRENTICE '40, USAAF, has been reported "missing in action" over the Provoso Oil Fields. Stationed in Italy with the 20th Bombardment Group, Lieutenant Prentice has been awarded the Air Medal for bravery and courageous action.
COMMANDER HENRY SLEGBERT '19, USNR, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal by Admiral Ingram.
TECHNICAL SERGEANT FRANK W. SNYDER '46, USAAC, having finished 32 raids over Europe as a radio operator on a B-24 has received the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
LIEUTENANT RICHARD E. KERESEY JR. '38, j USNR, for action in Motor Torpedo Boats, has won the Bronze Star. Sorry, there are no further details at hand.
THE SILVER STAR MEDAL is awarded Marine Major James A. Donovan Jr. '39 for gallantry against the Japanese on Saipan. Lt. Gen. Holland M. Smith, USMC Commanding General of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, presented the Medal to the Major.
PILOT OF A B-17 called the "Fearless Fosdick," Capt. William G. Cleaves '40 has taken part in some of the biggest attacks on Nazi Europe. He holds the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters.
THE DFC IS AWARDED to Major Harold S. Farwell '37, USAAF, for destroying a fuel dump in Italy vitally important to the enemy. Brig. Gen. Robert D. Knapp made the presentation in a B-12 Mitchell bomber base in the Mediterranean Theater of War.
