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Rank and organization: Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S.
Navy, U.S.S. Franklin. Place and date: Japanese Home Islands near Kobe,
Japan, 19 March 1945. Entered service at: Ohio. Born: 23 July 1903,
Findlay, Ohio.
Citation... 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, 19 March 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, Lt. (j.g.) Gary unhesitatingly risked his life to
assist several hundred men trapped in a messing compartment filled with
smoke, and with no apparent egress. |
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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. Stanchly determined,
he struggled back to the messing compartment 3 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 1 boiler in the
face of extreme difficulty and hazard. An inspiring and courageous
leader, Lt. (j.g.) 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 U.S. Naval Service. | |
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