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Contact Info
Home Town Cincinnati, OH
Last Address Virginia Beach, VA
Date of Passing Aug 30, 1997
Location of Interment Princess Ann Memorial Park - Virginia Beach, Virginia
Roger Mehle served in the Navy from 3 June 1937 until 1970.
Other Comments:
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.
CLASS - FORRESTAL
Displacement 56,000 Tons, Dimensions, 1039' (oa) x 129' 1" x 37' (Max)
Armament 8 x 5"/54, 100 Aircraft.
Armor, Unknown.
Machinery, 260,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 33 Knots, Crew 3800 - 4280.
Named after
CVA-59 was named after James Vincent Forrestal (1892-1949). He became the first Under Secretary of the Navy in August 1940, charged with building the world's largest Fleet. His brilliant work in procurement and production led to his appointment as the 48th Secretary of the Navy in May 1944. Forrestal carried out this new assignment with such distinction that he was the natural choice as the first Secretary of Defense, a position to which he was appointed in September 1947, and in which he continued outstanding service to the Nation, until he resigned in March 1949. He had served in the US Navy as a naval aviator during World War I.
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