Briscoe, Robert Pearce, ADM

Robert Pearce Briscoe commanded two ships, a destroyer squadron, and an amphibious group during WWII. He later served as Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces Southern Europe, from 1956 to 1959.

Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S. Denver (CL-58)
General Orders: Commander Southern Pacific: Serial 00162 (January 14, 1944)
Citation:
"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Robert Pearce Briscoe (NSN: 0-34560), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Light Cruiser U.S.S. DENVER (CL-58), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Northern Solomons Area from 30 October to 2 November 1943.
...
As a unit of Task Force THIRTY-NINE, Captain Briscoe fought his ship gallantly against terrific enemy opposition during a thirty-six hour period of conflict, proceeding through unfamiliar and poorly charted waters and participating in the initial bombardment of Buka-Bonie and the first daylight assault on the Shortland-Faisi-Ballale Area. In a desperate night engagement against a Japanese task force of superior fire power, the DENVER assisted in the sinking of five enemy warships, the damaging of four others and the routing of the Japanese surface forces.
...
Later, under the deadly attack of sixty-seven hostile bombers, Captain Briscoe directed the anti-aircraft fire of his ship in a concentrated barrage which resulted in the destruction of seventeen Japanese planes. His aggressive leadership and gallant conduct under fire contributed to the security of our beachhead at Empress Augusta Bay and to the successful establishment of our land and air forces on Bougainville Island.
...
The conduct of Captain Briscoe throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."