"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty as an Engineering Officer attached to the
U.S.S. Franklin when that vessel was fiercely attacked by enemy aircraft
during the operations against the Japanese Home Islands near Kobe,
Japan, March 19, 1945. Stationed on the third deck when the ship was
rocked by a series of violent explosions set off in her own ready bombs,
rockets and ammunition by the hostile attack, Lieutenant Gary
unhesitatingly risked his life to assist several hundred men trapped in a
messing compartment filled with smoke, and with no apparent egress. As
the imperiled men below decks became increasingly panic-stricken under
the raging fury of incessant explosions, he confidently assured them he
would find a means of effecting their release and, groping through the
dark, debris-filled corridors, ultimately discovered an escapeway.
Staunchly determined, he struggled back to the messing compartment three
times despite menacing flames, flooding water and the ominous threat of
sudden additional explosions, on each occasion calmly leading his men
through the blanketing pall of smoke until the last one had been saved.
Selfless in his concern for his ship and his fellows, he constantly
rallied others about him, repeatedly organized and led fire-fighting
parties into the blazing inferno on the flight deck and, when firerooms 1
and 2 were found to be inoperable, entered the No. 3 fireroom and
directed the raising of steam in one boiler in the face of extreme
difficulty and hazard. An inspiring and courageous leader, Lieutenant
Gary rendered self-sacrificing service under the most perilous
conditions and, by his heroic initiative, fortitude and valor, was
responsible for the saving of several hundred lives. His conduct
throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and upon the United States Naval Service."
From Lt. Gary's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on January 23, 1946.
Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,
Brian & Melonie
No comments:
Post a Comment