This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Shaun Thomas (Underdog), OSC
to remember
Crommelin, Henry (Silver Star), VADM USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Montgomery
Last Address Montgomery
Date of Passing Mar 02, 1971
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain [then Commander] Henry Crommelin (NSN: 0-59421), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action prior to the landings at Tarawa on 20 - 23 November 1943. In his Division Leader with one other ship of his Division, he entered Tarawa Lagoon under heavy fire from shore batteries in advance of the assault landing craft. His ships succeeded in silencing several enemy batteries and effectively carried out all assigned and requested fire support tasks from inside the lagoon. Just before entering the lagoon, his Division Leader was hit three times by five-inch shells. The uncharted waters of the lagoon contained many coral heads and reefs. His skillful and resolute leadership contributed materially to the capture of Bititu and the occupation of Tarawa, Gilbert Islands. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 01891 (May 14, 1944)
Iowa Class Battleship: Displacement 45,000 Tons, Dimensions, 887' 3" (oa) x 108' 2" x 37' 9" (Max). Armament 9 x 16"/50 20 x 5"/38AA, 80 x 40mm 49 x 20mm, 3 AC. Armor, 12 1/8" Belt, 17" Turrets, 1 1/2" +6" +5/8" Decks, 17 1/4" Conning Tower. Machinery, 212,000 SHP; Westinghouse Geared Turbines, 4 screws. Speed, 33 Knots, Crew 1921.
Operational and Building Data: Laid down by Philadelphia Naval Ship Yard, January 25 1941. Launched 7 December 1943. Commissioned April 16 1944. Decommissioned July 1 1948. Recommissioned March 3 1951. Decommissioned March 8 1958. Recommissioned October 22 1988. Decommissioned September 30 1991. Stricken for disposal 12 January 1995 but retained in reserve. Reinstated on the Naval Vessels Register, in reserve, 12 February 1998.
Fate: Berthed at Norfolk, VA; to become a museum-in-reserve,with the weather decks open to the public, but the ship still maintained in reserve and owned by the Navy.
