Roy M. Davenport
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| Roy Milton Davenport | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | USN |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands | USS Haddock USS Trepang |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Navy Cross (5) |
Roy Milton Davenport, a Rear Admiral, was the first person in the United States Navy to receive five Navy Crosses. He received all five in World War II while a submariner. He was the commander of the USS Haddock and the USS Trepang for several of their patrols.
Davenport authored a book about his WWII patrols, titled Clean Sweep.
Contents |
[edit] Navy Cross citations
[edit] #1: June to August 1943 — off Palau and the Caroline Islands
Lieutenant Commander Davenport (U.S. Navy, 72345) received his first Navy Cross award for service in August 1943 off Palau and the Caroline Islands while serving on the U.S.S. Haddock during World War II:
- Citation
- For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of a United States Submarine during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific Area. Throughout numerous hazardous war patrols in enemy-infested waters, Lieutenant Commander Davenport pressed home his attacks with cool and courageous determination and despite intense and persistent hostile opposition, succeeded in sinking over 10,500 tons of enemy shipping and damaging over 35,500 tons. His aggressive fighting spirit, inspiring leadership and the splendid efficiency of the men in his command contributed immeasurably to the success of our operations in this vital area and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
[edit] #2: September 1943 — off the Truk Islands
Lieutenant Commander Davenport received his first Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross award for service in September 1943 off the Truk Islands while serving on the U.S.S. Haddock during World War II:
- Citation
- For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of a United States Submarine while that vessel was engaged in an aggressive and successful patrol against enemy Japanese in the Pacific War Area. Although operating in the presence of formidable concentrations of anti-submarine vessels, Lieutenant Commander Davenport pressed home a series of vigorous and persistent attacks which resulted in the sinking or damaging of an important amount of hostile shipping. Despite severe countermeasures on the part of the enemy, he brought his ship through many perilous encounters and his crew home without material damage or loss of life. His expert seamanship and cool courage in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
[edit] #3: October to November 1943 — off the Truk Islands
Lieutenant Commander Davenport received his 2nd Gold Star in lieu of a third Navy Cross award for service from October to November 1943 off the Truk Islands while serving on the U.S.S. Haddock during World War II:
- Citation
- For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HADDOCK during the Seventh War Patrol in enemy Japanese-controlled waters in the Pacific War Area. With superb tactical skill, Commander Davenport maneuvered his ship into striking position and in a daring surface torpedo attack against a hostile destroyer search group, sank one of the Japanese warships then, during the ensuing confusion, carried out a successful surface retirement. Contacting two heavily escorted enemy convoys, he and his gallant command delivered accurate and devastating attacks against the hostile vessels, sinking a large amount of Japanese shipping. Commander Davenport’s inspiring leadership and indomitable fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
[edit] #4: September to October 1944 — Toyko Bay
Commander Davenport received his 3rd Gold Star in lieu of a fourth Navy Cross award for service from September to October 1944 in the Toyko Bay Area while serving on the U.S.S. Trepang during World War II:
- Citation
- For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. TREPANG during the First War Patrol of that vessel in enemy waters. Effectively covering wide areas of the enemy’s shipping routes, Commander Davenport tracked Japanese surface forces with relentless determination, skillfully developing his contacts into highly aggressive torpedo attacks. Boldly launching his fire against hostile escorted convoys, he directed his command in the destruction of several important enemy vessels and continued his vigorous tactics by a night surface attack against a Japanese task force to sink or damage severely combatant ships of heavy fire power and vital to the enemy’s sustained prosecution of the war. His valiant ship-handling in evading severe enemy countermeasures despite the TREPANG’s inferior speed and highly phosphorescent seas and the gallant fighting spirit of the entire ship’s company reflect the highest credit upon Commander Davenport and the United States Naval Service.
[edit] #5: November to December 1944 — off Luzon, Philippines
Commander Davenport received his 4th Gold Star in lieu of a fifth Navy Cross award for service from November to December 1944 off Luzon, Philippine Islands while serving on the U.S.S. Haddock during World War II:
- Citation
- For etraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. TREPANG during the Second War Patrol of that vessel in enemy Japanese-controlled waters. Daringly penetrating a strong hostile escort screen to deliver a series of night surface attacks, Commander Davenport launched his torpedoes into an escorted convoy, holding to his targets grimly in the face of heavy countermeasures and sinking an important amount of Japanese tonnage. During this excellently planned and brilliantly executed engagement, the TREPANG effectively coordinated her efforts with other submarines and, as a result of the combined firepower of these gallant ships, contributed to the destruction of the entire convoy within a period of three hours. A courageous and expert seaman, forceful and inspiring in his leadership, Commander Davenport, as Group Commander, was largely responsible for the outstanding success of this vital and hazardous mission. His gallant conduct and the exceptional combat readiness of his command reflect the highest credit upon Commander Davenport and the United States Naval Service.
[edit] References
- Navy Cross citations (Accessed from web.archive.org)
- Trapang, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships 7: 269-270, 1981. Describes Davenport's actions that resulted in his fourth and fifth Navy Cross awards.
[edit] External links
- Home of Heroes
- American Military Decorations & Awards Research Institute
- USS Haddock, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Details WWII actions of the USS Haddock, commanded by LCDR Davenport.
