Cpl Anthony Casamento, 21, USMC (1920–1987)
Company D, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division
Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
November 1, 1942
Presented September 12, 1980
(1980)
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Cpl Anthony Casamento (MCSN: 292218), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division on Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands, in action against the enemy Japanese forces on November 1, 1942.
Serving as a leader of a machine-gun section, Cpl Casamento directed his unit to advance along a ridge near the Matanikau River where they engaged the enemy. He positioned his section to provide covering fire for two flanking units and to provide direct support for the main force of his company which was behind him. During the course of this engagement, all members of his section were either killed or severely wounded and he himself suffered multiple, grievous wounds. Nonetheless, Cpl Casamento continued to provide critical supporting fire for the attack and in defense of his position. Following the loss of all effective personnel, he set up, loaded, and manned his unit’s machine gun, tenaciously holding the enemy forces at bay. Cpl Casamento single-handedly engaged and destroyed one machine-gun emplacement to his front and took under fire the other emplacement on the flank. Despite the heat and ferocity of the engagement, he continued to man his weapon and repeatedly repulsed multiple assaults by the enemy forces, thereby protecting the flanks of the adjoining companies and holding his position until the arrival of his main attacking force. Cpl Casamento’s courageous fighting spirit, heroic conduct, and unwavering dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.
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LTC Pierpont Morgan Hamilton, 44, USAAF (1898–1982)
Western Task Force (Northern Attack Group)
Near Port Lyautey, French Morocco
November 8, 1942
Presented January 23, 1943
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to MAJ (Air Corps) Pierpont Morgan Hamilton, United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Western Task Force, in North Africa during the landings of Operation Torch.
On November 8, 1942, near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, LTC Hamilton volunteered to accompany COL Demas Craw on a dangerous mission to the French commander, designed to bring about a cessation of hostilities. Driven away from the mouth of the Sebou River by heavy shelling from all sides, the landing boat was finally beached at Mehdia Plage despite continuous machine-gun fire from three low-flying hostile planes. Driven in a light truck toward French headquarters, this courageous mission encountered intermittent firing, and as it neared Port Lyautey a heavy burst of machine-gun fire was delivered upon the truck from point-blank range, killing COL Craw instantly. Although captured immediately after this incident, LTC Hamilton completed the mission.
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COL William Hale Wilbur, 54, USA (1888–1979)
Western Task Force (Center Attack Group)
Fedala, French Morocco
November 8, 1942
Presented January 22, 1943
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to COL William Hale Wilbur, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Western Task Force, in action at Fedala, French Morocco, North Africa. COL Wilbur prepared the plan for making contact with French commanders in Casablanca and obtaining an armistice to prevent unnecessary bloodshed.
On November 8, 1942, he landed at Fedala with the leading assault waves where opposition had developed into a firm and continuous defensive line across his route of advance. Commandeering a vehicle, he was driven toward the hostile defenses under incessant fire, finally locating a French officer who accorded him passage through the forward positions. He then proceeded in total darkness through 16 miles of enemy-occupied country intermittently subjected to heavy bursts of fire, and accomplished his mission by delivering his letters to appropriate French officials in Casablanca. Returning toward his command, COL Wilbur detected a hostile battery firing effectively on our troops. He took charge of a platoon of American tanks and personally led them in an attack and capture of the battery. From the moment of landing until the cessation of hostile resistance, COL Wilbur’s conduct was voluntary and exemplary in its coolness and daring.
COL Demas Thurlow “Nick” Craw, 42, USAAF (1900–1942)
XII Ground Air Support Command, Western Task Force (Northern Attack Group)
Near Port Lyautey, French Morocco
November 8, 1942
Presented March 4, 1943
Posthumous
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (posthumously) to COL (Air Corps) Demas Thurlow Craw, United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the XII Ground Air Support Command, Western Task Force, during Operation Torch in North Africa.
On November 8, 1942, near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, COL Craw volunteered to accompany the leading wave of assault boats to the shore and pass through the enemy lines to locate the French commander with a view of suspending hostilities. This request was first refused as being too dangerous, but upon the officer’s insistence that he was qualified to undertake and accomplish the mission he was allowed to go. Encountering heavy fire while in the landing boat and unable to dock in the river because of shellfire from shore batteries, COL Craw, accompanied by one officer and one soldier, succeeded in landing on the beach at Mehdia Plage under constant low-level strafing from three enemy planes. Riding in a bantam truck toward French headquarters, progress of the party was hindered by fire from our own naval guns. Nearing Port Lyautey, COL Craw was instantly killed by a sustained burst of machine-gun fire at point-blank range from a concealed position near the road.
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LCDR Bruce McCandless I, 31, USN (1911–1968)
USS San Francisco (CA-38)
Iron Bottom Sound, Savo Island, Solomon Islands
November 12-13, 1942
Presented December 12, 1942
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to CDR Bruce McCandless (NSN: 0-71628), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and exceptionally distinguished service above and beyond the call of duty as Communication Officer of the USS SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38) in combat with enemy Japanese forces in the battle off Savo Island, November 12-13, 1942.
In the midst of a violent night engagement, the fire of a determined and desperate enemy seriously wounded LCDR McCandless and rendered him unconscious, killed or wounded the admiral in command, his staff, the captain of the ship, the navigator, and all other personnel on the navigating and signal bridges. Faced with the lack of superior command upon his recovery, and displaying superb initiative, he promptly assumed command of the ship and ordered her course and gunfire against an overwhelmingly powerful force. With his superiors in other vessels unaware of the loss of their admiral, and challenged by his great responsibility, LCDR McCandless boldly continued to engage the enemy and to lead our column of following vessels to a great victory. Largely through his brilliant seamanship and great courage, the SAN FRANCISCO was brought back to port, saved to fight again in the service of her country.
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RADM Norman Scott, 53, USN (1889–1942)
Surface Task Force – USS Atlanta (CL-51)
Iron Bottom Sound, Savo Island, Solomon Islands
October 11-12 and November 12-13, 1942
Presented December 9, 1942
Posthumous
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (posthumously) to RADM Norman Scott (NSN: 0-7749), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty during action against enemy Japanese forces off Savo Island on the night of October 11-12 and again on the night of November 12-13, 1942.
In the earlier action, intercepting a Japanese task force intent upon storming our island positions and landing reinforcements at Guadalcanal, RADM Scott, with courageous skill and superb coordination of the units under his command, destroyed eight hostile vessels and put the others to flight. Again challenged, a month later, by the return of a stubborn and persistent foe, he led his force into a desperate battle against tremendous odds, directing close-range operations against the invading enemy until he himself was killed in the furious bombardment by their superior firepower. On each of these occasions his dauntless initiative, inspiring leadership, and judicious foresight in a crisis of grave responsibility contributed decisively to the rout of a powerful invasion fleet and to the consequent frustration of a formidable Japanese offensive. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
LCDR Herbert Emery Schonland, 42, USN (1900–1984)
USS San Francisco (CA-38)
Iron Bottom Sound, Savo Island, Solomon Islands
November 12-13, 1942
Presented January 5, 1943
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to CDR Herbert Emery Schonland, United States Navy, for extreme heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty as Damage Control Officer of the USS SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38) in action against greatly superior enemy forces in the battle off Savo Island, November 12-13, 1942.
In the same violent night engagement in which all of his superior officers were killed or wounded, LCDR Schonland was fighting valiantly to free the SAN FRANCISCO of large quantities of water flooding the second deck compartments through numerous shell holes caused by enemy fire. Upon being informed that he was commanding officer, he ascertained that the conning of the ship was being efficiently handled, then directed the officer who had taken over that task to continue while he himself resumed the vitally important work of maintaining the stability of the ship. In water waist deep, he carried on his efforts in darkness illuminated only by hand lanterns until water in flooded compartments had been drained or pumped off and watertight integrity had again been restored to the SAN FRANCISCO. His great personal valor and gallant devotion to duty at great peril to his own life were instrumental in bringing his ship back to port under her own power, saved to fight again in the service of her country.
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BM1 Reinhardt John Keppler, 24, USN (1918–1942)
USS San Francisco (CA-38)
Iron Bottom Sound, Savo Island, Solomon Islands
November 12-13, 1942
Presented September 17, 1943
Posthumous
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (posthumously) to BM1 Reinhardt John Keppler, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished courage above and beyond the call of duty while serving aboard the USS SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38) during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands, November 12-13, 1942.
When a hostile torpedo plane, during a daylight air raid, crashed on the after machine-gun platform, BM1 Keppler promptly assisted in removal of the dead and, by his capable supervision of the wounded, undoubtedly helped save the lives of several shipmates who otherwise might have perished. That night, when the ship’s hangar was set afire during the great battle off Savo Island, he bravely led a hose into the starboard side of the stricken area and there, without assistance and despite frequent hits from terrific enemy bombardment, eventually brought the fire under control. Later, although mortally wounded, he labored valiantly in the midst of bursting shells, persistently directing firefighting operations and administering to wounded personnel until he finally collapsed from loss of blood. His great personal valor, maintained with utter disregard of personal safety, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
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RADM Daniel Judson Callaghan, 52, USN (1890–1942)
USS San Francisco (CA-38)
Iron Bottom Sound, Savo Island, Solomon Islands
November 12-13, 1942
Presented December 9, 1942
Posthumous
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (posthumously) to RADM Daniel Judson Callaghan (NSN: 0-7635), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on board the USS SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38), during action against enemy Japanese forces off Savo Island on the night of November 12-13, 1942.
Although outbalanced in strength and numbers by a desperate and determined enemy, RADM Callaghan, with ingenious tactical skill and superb coordination of the units under his command, led his forces into battle against tremendous odds, thereby contributing decisively to the rout of a powerful invasion fleet, and to the consequent frustration of a formidable Japanese offensive. While faithfully directing close-range operations in the face of furious bombardment by superior enemy firepower, he was killed on the bridge of his flagship. His courageous initiative, inspiring leadership, and judicious foresight in a crisis of grave responsibility were in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the defense of his country.
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LtCol Harold William “Joe” Bauer, 34, USMC (1908–1942)
VMF-212, MAG-23, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
May 10 – November 14, 1942
Presented May 11, 1946
Posthumous
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (posthumously) to LtCol Harold William “Indian Joe” Bauer (MCSN: 0-4534), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage in aerial combat above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Squadron Commander and a Pilot of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-212), Marine Air Group TWENTY-THREE (MAG-23), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in the South Pacific Area during the period May 10 to November 14, 1942.
Volunteering to pilot a fighter plane in defense of our positions on Guadalcanal, LtCol Bauer participated in two air battles against enemy bombers and fighters outnumbering our force more than two to one, boldly engaged the enemy, and destroyed one Japanese bomber in the engagement of September 28, and shot down four enemy fighter planes in flames on October 3, leaving a fifth smoking badly. After successfully leading 26 planes on an overwater ferry flight of more than 600 miles on October 16, LtCol Bauer, while circling to land, sighted a squadron of enemy planes attacking the USS McFARLAND (DD-237). Undaunted by the formidable opposition and with valor above and beyond the call of duty, he engaged the entire squadron and, although alone and his fuel supply nearly exhausted, fought his plane so brilliantly that four of the Japanese planes were destroyed before he was forced down by lack of fuel. His intrepid fighting spirit and distinctive ability as a leader and an airman, exemplified in his splendid record of combat achievement, were vital factors in the successful operations in the South Pacific Area.
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