Navy Cross: On 13 October 1943, the U-402 went to a watery grave north of the Azores after being struck by a MK. 24 homing torpedo dropped by Lt.Cdr. Howard M. Avery, squadron commander VC-9, USS Card (CVE-11). There were no survivors.
In addition to the Navy Cross, Legion of Merit with Combat "V," Distinguished Flying Cross with Gold Star, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Ribbon for the Presidential Unit Citation to the USS Card, Captain Avery has the American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal Asia Clasp. In 1954 he was awarded the Navy Marine Corps Medal, and in 1950/61 the National Defense Service Medal.
