Mehle, Roger William, RADM

Roger Mehle served in the Navy from 3 June 1937 until 1970.

Silver Star
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
General Orders: Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0638 (December 28, 1944)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Roger William Mehle (NSN: 0-78670), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Commander Air Group TWENTY-EIGHT and Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron TWENTY-EIGHT (VF-28), during operations against enemy Japanese forces at Wake, Formosa and in the Marianas, Nampo Shoto, the First and Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, Nansei Shoto the Carolines, and the Philippine Islands, from 15 May to 26 December 1944. During this period of intense aerial activity, Commander Mehle boldly led his airmen in numerous brilliantly executed strikes against the enemy, personally shooting down four enemy aircraft and probably two others, destroying twenty-seven grounded planes and damaging and destroying vital Japanese installations and shipping. By his aggressive and forceful leadership and exceptional tactical ability, he contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of his Air Group inflicting extensive and costly damage on the enemy, and his unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave danger reflect the highest credit upon Commander Mehle and the United States Naval Service.