USS Hinsdale (APA-120) Awards

List of officers and men who performed outstanding actions while attached to the USS Hinsdale (APA-120)

Iwo Jima Operation

For distinguishing himself by meritorious achievement as a member of the crew of a landing craft on February 19, 1945, during the initial assault landing on Iwo Jima. After taking aboard three casualties, two of whom were stretcher cases, his boat began to sink rapidly while retracting from the beach. He, demonstrating outstanding skill and courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, gave invaluable assistance in carrying the wounded men through the heavy surf to a place of safety. By his initiative, resourcefulness and heroic conduct under conditions of great personal damage, he contributed materially in saving the lives of the three men. His conduct throughout distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character (Bronze Star):


For heroism in rescuing an enlisted man from drowning on February 22, 1945, during the amphibious assault on Iwo Jima. After observing an injured member of the crew fall into the water, he, without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, voluntarily and courageously dove into the sea from the main deck of his ship and succeeded in bringing the man to safety. By his valorous service, aggressive initiative and resourcefulness under conditions of great personal risk, he contributed materially to the saving of the life of the man. His heroic conduct performed in the face of great danger to himself, was outstanding (Navy and Marine Corps Medal):


For distinguishing himself as ship's Beach Platoon Commander during assault landings on enemy soil. BY his cool and capable direction under most adverse conditions and while being subjected to heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire at frequent intervals, he organized and kept his beach operating to its fullest extent, permitting urgently needed supplies and equipment to be landed (Letter of Commendation by Commander Amphibious Forces, US Pacific Fleet, with authorization to wear Commendation Ribbon):


For excellent service in the line of his duty from February 19 to February 20, 1945, and a member of the medical section of a beach platoon during the assault on Iwo Jima. Demonstrating outstanding leadership and skill, he, in the face of continued enemy shell and mortar fire, gave medical care to numerous casualties and assisted in their evacuation to a place of safety. His outstanding performance of duty, achieved under extremely difficult conditions, contributed materially to the saving of many lives. His conduct give evidence of his great value to the Naval Service (Letter of Commendation by Commander Amphibious Forces, US Pacific Fleet, with authorization to wear the Commendation Ribbon):

For excellent service in the line of his duty from February 19 to February 20, 1945, and a member of the medical section of a beach platoon during the assault on Iwo Jima. Demonstrating outstanding leadership and skill and although wounded, he, in the face of continued enemy shell and mortar fire, gave medical care to numerous casualties and assisted in their evacuation to a place of safety. His outstanding performance of duty, achieved under extremely difficult conditions, contributed materially to the saving of many lives. His conduct give evidence of his great value to the Naval Service (Letter of Commendation by Commander Amphibious Forces, US Pacific Fleet, with authorization to wear the Commendation Ribbon):


Killed in the line of duty, in the face of enemy action, during the Iwo Jima campaign:


Wounded in the line of duty, in the face of enemy action, during the Iwo Jima campaign:

Okinawa Operation

The commanding officer, during this campaign, Captain Edward Flood Boyer, DM, USNR was awarded the Bronze Star.

For heroic service in connection with operations against the enemy as First Lieutenant and Damage Control Officer of a United States transport from April 1, 1945, to June 2, 1945, during the invasion of Okinawa Shima. After the ship had been struck by a suicide plane and flooded and set afire below decks, he, displaying outstanding ability and leadership, directed the damage control so effectively that the fires were put out, further flooding was prevented and a valuable cargo preserved to be unloaded at the objective for subsequent use. His action contributed materially to saving his ship and in reducing the loss of life. His conduct throughout distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character (Bronze Star):


For heroic service in connection with operations against the enemy as Engineering Officer of United States transport from April to June 1945, during the assault and capture of Okinawa. After his ship had been struck by a Japanese suicide plane, causing extensive flooding in the engineering spaces and starting fires below decks, he, displaying superior ability and leadership, personally directed the damage control and fire fighting in the engine room so effectively that his ship was saved and loss of life greatly reduced. By his untiring efforts and expert technical knowledge, temporary repairs were made and the ship returned to a Navy Yard in the United States under its own power. Through his cool and capable leadership, he inspired those in his charge to carry on efficiently under most hazardous conditions. His conduct throughout distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character (Bronze Star):


For heroic service in connection with operations against the enemy on 1 April 1945, and for meritorious service in the line of his profession from 1 April to 2 June 1945. As Electrical Officer, when his ship was badly damaged by enemy action and on fire, he rendered meritorious service in assisting to extinguish the fire, in bringing the flooding under control, and in properly securing the damaged engineering plant, thereby contributing materially in preventing the complete loss of his ship and in reducing the loss of life. His expert knowledge and skill in the line of his profession were highly instrumental in effecting repairs enabling his ship to steam 10,596 miles under her own power, without incident, to arrive safely at a Navy Yard in the United States for repairs. The cool and confident manner in which he performed his duty under the most adverse conditions, his expert knowledge and skill in the line of his profession, and his devotion t duty, are considered in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service (Bronze Star):


For heroic service in connection with operations against the enemy on 1 April 1945. As Assistant Damage Control Officer in charge of a repair party, when his ship was badly damaged by enemy action and on fire, he promptly led his repair party to the damaged spaces and rendered heroic service in extinguishing the fire. He then assisted in organizing and directing the repair parties until the flooding was under control, and by his heroic services, his expert knowledge and skill in the line of his profession, his valuable assistance was instrumental in preventing the loss of his ship and in reducing the loss of life. His meritorious service and his cool and capable conduct were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service (Bronze Star):


For heroism in voluntarily entering an unlighted compartment which was flooding rapidly to rescue an enlisted man who was trapped in a storeroom that was dangerously close to becoming completely submerged by the flooding. His prompt and courageous action, under very difficult conditions and without regard for personal safety, freed the trapped man and undoubtedly saved his life. His courageous conduct performed without regard for personal safety was outstanding (Bronze Star):


For heroism in voluntarily entering an unlighted compartment which was flooding rapidly to rescue an enlisted man who was trapped in a storeroom that was dangerously close to becoming completely submerged by the flooding. His prompt and courageous action, under very difficult conditions and without regard for personal safety, freed the trapped man and undoubtedly saved his life. His courageous conduct performed without regard for personal safety was outstanding (Bronze Star):


Killed in the line of duty, in the face of enemy action, during the Okinawa campaign:

Wounded in the line of duty, in the face of enemy action, during the Okinawa campaign:


Transcribed and formatted for HTML by Patrick Clancey (patrick@akamail.com)