Laureled Sons of Dartmouth

Men Cited for Heroism and Meritorious Achievement

LIEUTENANT H. SCOTT TAYLOR '39, 1 USNR, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service at Okinawa where he was serving as executive officer on the destroyer Bache. Lieutenant Taylor led repair parties to sections of the ship that had been struck by a Jap kamikaze plane and also entered the forward engine room that was rapidly flooding. His conduct was in the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service.

CAPTAIN LAWRENCE K. HENNESSY '42, USMCR, was killed in action at Okinawa on May 21, 1945. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously with the following citation: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of a rifle company attached to the Third Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Group, 7 May 1945. Leading his company in attack against a heavily defended strategic ridge, Captain Hennessy ably directed the fire of his men into the Japanese stronghold and, fearlessly penetrating the enemy's intense barrage of artillery, machine-gun and rifle fire, occupied the objective. With his unit suddenly blasted by an increased concentration of exploding shells and gunfire, he was ordered to evacuate his company from the untenable position. Realizing the grave peril to his men, Captain Hennessy remained on the ridge directing and defending their withdrawal and pouring a steady stream of fire at the enemy until his entire company had reachd comparative safety. By his personal valor, cool decision and indomitable fighting spirit, Captain Hen- nessy served as an inspiration to his men and effected the accomplishment of a difficult operation. His conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." Signed for the President by James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy.

COOLONEL WLLLIAM F. NICHOLSON '22, USAAF, has been awarded the Legion of Merit for "exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services" while on temporary duty in the ETO in 1944.

LIEUTENANT (JG) ROBERT SMITH NICHOLS '41, j USNR, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal: "For heroic service as Medical Officer on board the USS Charles Carroll while serving as member of a Naval Beach Party during action against enemy Japanese forces at Okinawa, Jima, on April 1, 1945. Undeterred by the realization that his movement meant almost certain death, Lieutenant Nichols answered the call for help of a hospital corpsman who had been shot by a sniper and hurried from the comparative protection of his foxhole to go to the aid of the stricken man. Fatally wounded by an enemy bullet and unable to complete this courageous attempt, Lieutenant Nichols, by his valiant and unhesitating effort to save the life of another, served as an inspiration to the other members of the party and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

MAJOR ALFRED G. RICE '26, QMC AUS, has been awarded the Army's new Commendation Ribbon for outstanding and meritorious performance of duty as Assistant Quartermaster, Headquarters, Third Service Command, from January 1944 to September 1945.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL NORMAN T. CRANE '22, MC AUS, has been awarded the Legion of Merit as deputy port surgeon, Hampton Roads, Virginia, Port of Embarkation. "From October 1942 to June 1945, he consistently exhibited exceptional ability in the discharge of his duties. By his ceaseless energy and unremitting devotion to duty, he successfully organized an entirely new system at the port for evacuating patients from ship side to the hospital."

THE Secretary of the Navy has presented the Distinguished Civilian Service award to LESTER B. GRANGER '18 with the following citation: "For exceptionally outstanding service to the United States Navy as Special Adviser to the Secretary of the Navy from 1 July 1945 to November 1945Mr. Granger rendered sound and able counsel to the Secretary of the Navy on the utilization of Negro military personnel in the Naval Service. By inspection of continental and overseas naval activities during which his tactful and forthright advice won the respect of officers and men alike, Mr. Granger personally evaluated the position of the Negro in the Navy, suggesting general policies as well as solutions for specific cases. Courageous and fair in criticism, honest and temperate in praise, Mr. Granger has performed a delicate and important task in a manner deserving of the Navy's highest civilian award."

LIEUTENANT JOHN RUHSAM '49, now a j sophomore in College who was formerly a Marine fighter pilot, has been awarded the coveted Navy Cross. He also holds the Silver Star in lieu of a fifth Air Medal. The Navy Cross award was made to Ruhsam after he and his wingman "intercepted a numerically superior force of 25 enemy suicide bomber aircraft, and by a fearless, daring and skillful attack, thwarted the enemy mission against friendly shipping." During the Okinawa battle Lieutenant Ruhsam was credited with destroying seven J apanese planes.

COLONEL H. L. ROBINSON '18, who served with the Office of Strategic Services from October 1943 to October 1945, has been awarded the Legion of Merit.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL ELLWOOD H. FISHER i 'si, AUS, serving with the Quartermaster Corps, has been awarded the Legion of Merit for meritorious service.

LIEUTENANT HOWARD J. LAMSON 42, USMCR, has been awarded posthumously the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as platoon leader during action against Japanese forces on Saipan from June 15 to 18, 1944. His citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as platoon leader attached to the Third battalion, 23rd Marines, Fourth Marine division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands Courageous and aggressive in the face of terrific fire from Japanese guns, First Lieutenant Lamson led his platoon to its objective and, by skillful direction of mortar and small arms fire, successfully repelled several fierce counter-attacks. Utterly disregarding his own safety under heavy artillery fire, he bandaged the wounds of his men and moved them to protected areas and also skillfully directed the covering forces and removal or destruction of abandoned equipment. Although seriously wounded by hostile fire while leading an assault on an enemy pillbox that was denying his battalion its objective, First Lieutenant Lamson had contributed materially to the ultimate success of the operation for this strategically important Japanese stronghold. His outstanding leadership and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER CHARLES L. RICH '33, USNR, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished leadership as commander of a division of minesweepers in operations against the Japanese. The award was made at Pearl Harbor a few months ago by the head of the administrative command, Pacific Fleet Minecraft, following which Lieutenant Commander returned to the States as skipper of the minesweeper USS Pirate. He ha? since been released from active duty.

Lieutenant Commander Rich also saw minesweeper action in the Normandy invasion and served for a considerable period in the European Theatre of Operations.

POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED the Silver Star Medal, Capt. Lawrence K. Hennessy '42, USMCR, who was killed at Okinawa, was cited for gallantry, in leading his company under heavy fire.

THE DISTINGUISHED CIVILIAN SERVICE AWARD is presented to Lester B. Granger 'l8 by Secretary of of the Navy James V. Forrestal 'l5, for his work as Special Adviser to the Secretary on utilization of Negro personnel. Left to right are: Admiral DeWitt C. Ramsey; Assistant Secretary of the Navy H. Struve Hensel; Secretary Forrestal; Mr. Granger; and Assistant Secretary of Navy for Air John L. Sullivan 21. Mr. Granger is the Executive Secretary of the National Urban League.