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Contact Info
Home Town Berkeley, California
Date of Passing Mar 21, 1982
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Wall/Plot Coordinates Section 59, Site 668
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
Submarine war patrols: USS Thresher (SS-20) - 11th through 13th
Other Comments:
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S. Thresher (SS-200)
General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 01489 (April 18, 1944)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Duncan Calvin MacMillan (NSN: 0-60439), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. THRESHER (SS-200), on the ELEVENTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 27 December 1943 through 18 February 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the East China Sea. Commander MacMillan contacted an escorted enemy convoy of four freighters. With marked aggressiveness he attacked this convoy with a series of two torpedo attacks successfully sinking two freighters. Again he contacted another enemy convoy of three ships. Courageously attacking, he delivered torpedo attacks, successfully sinking one tanker and a freighter. Pursuing the remaining tanker, he skillfully attacked, severely damaging this tanker. By his intelligent analysis of enemy convoys and aggressive determination, he successfully sank over 26,000 tons and damaged over 9,000 tons of enemy shipping. His well-planned and executed attack upon an enemy trawler resulted in its sinking. Despite enemy counterattacks, which on one occasion included gunfire, he successfully evaded serious damage to bring his ship to port undamaged. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
General Orders: Pacific Fleet Board Awards: Serial 76 (October 9, 1944)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Commander Duncan Calvin MacMillan (NSN: 0-60439), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. THRESHER (SS-200), on the THIRTEENTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 14 June 1944 to 27 July 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the Luzon Strait, in the Philippine Islands. Penetrating unusually alert enemy escort screens, Captain MacMillan pressed home three well-planned and executed torpedo attacks to destroy a six-ship convoy of over 35,000 tons within three hours and, despite severe enemy countermeasures, succeeded in escaping without damage to his ship. His devotion to duty reflects the highest credit upon Captain MacMillan and the United States Naval Service.
Legion of Merit
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 03773 (August 6, 1944)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Commander Duncan Calvin MacMillan (NSN: 0-60439), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. THRESHER (SS-200), during the TWELFTH War Patrol of that Submarine in waters, the control of which is now being contested. During the period 18 Mary to 8 May 1944, the THRESHER was engaged in photographic reconnaissance and lifeguard services in the Central Caroline Islands Area. Although forced to dive on numerous occasions to avoid aerial depth bombing, he maintained his vessel in proximity to the atolls as depth would allow which resulted in accomplishment of his mission in a most efficient manner. By his exceptional skill and determination, valuable photographic results were obtained from the reconnaissance. In addition, he successfully carried out a bombardment of the enemy-held Oroluk Atoll. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander MacMillan is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)
NEC 111X-Unrestricted Line Officer - Surface Warfare
Base, Station or City Not Specified
State/Country Not Specified
Patch
USS Mellette (APA-156) Details
Hull number APA-156
Haskell Class Attack Transport:
Laid down, 3 June 1944, as a Maritime Commission type (VC2-S-AP5) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MCV hull 122) at Oregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, OR.
Launched, 4 August 1944
Acquired by the Navy from the Maritime Commission and commissioned USS Mellette (APA-156), 27 September 1944, CDR. F. H. Spring, USNR, in command
During World War II USS Mellette (APA-156) was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater: TransRon Fifteen; CAPT. W. S. Popham USN (14)\
Following World War II USS Mellette was assigned to Occupation service in the Far East for the following periods
Decommissioned, 3 February 1946, at Norfolk, VA.
Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Yorktown, VA.
Recommissioned, 18 October 1950
USS Mellette was assigned to Occupation service in Europe from 20 September 1953 to 24 January 1954
Decommissioned, 18 June 1955, at Charleston S.C.
Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Charleston Group
Returned to the Maritime Administration (MARAD), 17 March 1960 for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River Group, Lee Hall, VA.
Permanent transfer to MARAD, 30 June 1960
Struck from the Naval Register, 1 July 1960
Final Disposition sold for scrapping, 18 September 1987
USS Mellette earned two battle stars for World War II serviceSpecifications: Displacement 6,873 t.(lt) 12,450 t.(fl) Length 455' Beam 62' Speed 17.7 kts (trial)
Complement
Officers 56
Enlisted 480
Troop Accommodations
Officers 80
Enlisted 1,440
Largest Boom Capacity 35t.
Cargo Capacity 2,900 DWT
non-refrigerated 150,000 Cu. ft
Boats
two LCMs
one open LCPL
one covered LCPL (Captain's Gig)
two LCPRs
eighteen LCVPs
Armament
one single 5"/38 cal dual-purpose gun mount
four twin 40mm AA gun mounts
one quad 40mm AA gun mount
10 single 20mm AA gun mounts
Fuel Capacities
NSFO 7,780 Bbls
Diesel 970 Bbls
Propulsion
one Westinghouse geared turbine
two Babcock and Wilcox header-type boilers, 465psi 750°
double Westinghouse Main Reduction Gears
three turbo-drive 300Kw 120V/240V D.C. Ship's Service Generators