Laureled Sons of Dartmouth

Men Cited for Heroism and Meritorious Achievement

-p lEUTENANT (JG) JOHN SHKEVER CHAMBERS ) t '45, USNR, made a brilliant record in the Pacific as pilot of a carrier-based dive bomber. He has received the Navy Cross, though the temporary citation for this has not been received as yet. His citation for the Distinguished Flying Cross reads as follows: "For distinguishing himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based dive bomber in the vicinity of Hokkaido, Japan, on 14 July, 1945. As a member of a flight of six dive bombers on a strike against an extremely important enemy vessel he made repeated coordinated strafing and bombing attacks. His bomb exploded beneath the vessel after being dropped in low level attack causing it to lift out of the water. Extensive damage resulted and the vessel sank a few minutes after attack was concluded. His courage and skill in successfully carrying out a prearranged plan of coordinated attack was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Also while attached to Admiral Halsey's Task Force 38 while in Japanese waters from May to August 1945 Lieutenant (then Ensign) Chambers won the Navy Air Medal: "For distinguishing himself by meritorious acts while participating in aerial flights in operations against the enemy in the Japanese home islands. As the pilot of a carrier-based dive bomber during the period 10 July, 1945 to 9 August, 1945 he participated in five strikes against enemy shipping, airfields, and other installations inflicting extensive damage. His skill and courage were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL FRED C. EATON JR. '4O, USAAC, has had such a distinguished war record that I want to summarize his decorations here, some of which were missed in the course of the war.

The Distinguished Service Cross was awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Eaton on November 12, 1944, "for extraordinary heroism in action as pilot of a B-17 aircraft over vital enemy strategic installations in Munich Germany on 19 July 1944. Intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire encountered over the target area severely damaged his aircraft, and seriously wounded Lieutenant Colonel Eaton. In spite of intense pain, shock and loss of blood, Lieutenant Colonel Eaton courageously led his group through for a highly successful bombing run which was instrumental in inflicting grave damage to this vital enemy installation. Lieutenant Colonel Eaton refused to relinquish the controls to the co-pilot until he had led his group from the target area. Although in a state of semi-consciousness and in great pain, Lieutenant Colonel Eaton ordered all other damaged aircraft to land before his. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty has characterized his many successful missions against the enemy."

Fred Eaton has also won the Silver Star Medal (three times), the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal (six times), the Purple Heart, and the Presidential Citation (five times).

FIRST LIEUTENANT ALLEN M. BARRETT '44, USMCR, has received the Bronze Star Medal for heroism on Iwo Jima in leading his platoon one night in repelling enemy infiltration and counterattack attempts. Holder of the Purple Heart Medal for wounds sustained on Iwo Jima, Lieutenant Barrett was wounded nine days after the invasion and volunteered to return to his unit after he had been flown to a base hospital for medical treatment.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL ROBERT E. BENJ JAMIN '24, AUS, has been awarded the Legion of Merit "for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services from 11 October 1941 to 28 August 1945."

LIEUTENANT COLONEL FRANCIS H. HORN i '3O, AUS, as Chief of the Morale Programs Branch, has been awarded the Legion of Merit for his outstanding accomplishments during the period from June 1943 to June 1945.

STAFF SERGEANT HENRY L. MARSHALL '44, AUS, has been awarded the Silver Star Medal. His citation follows: "During the attack on Cologne, Germany, Sergeant Marshall at great risk to his life, helped evacuate three wounded men while under heavy self-propelled artillery fire. His squad leader and assistant squad leader having been wounded, Sergeant Marshall immediately assumed command on his own volition, moved the men out of the barrage and closed in on the objective. Then in advance of the men, Sergeant Marshall entered a fortified house, taking ten prisoners and eliminating two machine guns. The superb gallantry and leadership displayed by Sergeant Marshall are in keeping with the finest traditions of the American soldier and combat leader." He has also won the Purple Heart Medal.

MAJOR JOSEPH WARREN BISHOP '36, AUS, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal "for meritorious service in connection with military operations, while serving with the International Law Division, Judge Advocate Section, Headquarters, ETO, from April 17 1944 to May 1945."

FIRST LIEUTENANT GENE G. KING '39, AUS, besides receiving the Silver Star Medal (See December 1945 issue) also won the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received while serving in General Patton's army on November 8, 1944 at Clemery, France, during the push into Germany. He wears the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Battle Stars, and is authorized to wear three overseas service bars.

FIRST LIEUTENANT JOHN H. SULLIVAN '39, USMCR, in a ceremony on Maui, Hawaiian Islands, was recently presented with the Bronze Star Medal by his classmate, Major William D. Stevenson '39, USMCR. This was for meritorious service in the outstanding performance of his duty as Division Signal Quartermaster from 14 August, 1943 to 1 September 1945. His performance was particularly outstanding on Iwo Jima, where he landed with a small detail early in the operation to supervise personally and direct the issue of signal equipment to the front line units when the heavy loss of signal supplies and equipment threatened the further operation of vital communication channels.

DON R. GITHENS '46, USNR, aviation radioman, second class, has won three Navy Air Medals for flying sixteen combat missions as radioman aboard an Avenger torpedo-bomber over Okinawa and the Jap homeland.

FOR SOUND JUDGMENT and keenness in applying his knowledge of War finance problems, Lt. Col. Robert E. Benjamin '24, Army Finance Department, receives the Legion of Merit.

VIA DELAYED DISPATCH word comes that Marine Ist Lt. Allen M. Barrett '44 received the Bronze Star for heroism on Iwo Jima in leading his platoon against an enemy night attack. He also holds the Purple Heart Medal.