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The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending the
UNITED STATES SHIP MANLEY
for participation in the following operations
The Capture and Defense of Guadalcanal — August 17 to 18, 1942; August 21 to 24, 1942; September 3 to 10, 1942; November 2 to 8, 1942; November 25 to 28, 1942; January 1 to 5, 1943;
The Consolidation of the Southern Solomons — February 4 to 9, 1943; February 17 to March 23, 1943;
The Occupation of Kwajalein — January 31 to February 8, 1944;
The Marianas Occupation — June 16, 1944; July 5 to 22, 1944;
The Leyte Landings — October 18 to 21, 1944;
The Luzon Landings — January 11 to February 18, 1945;
as set forth in the following
CITATION:
“For exceptionally meritorious service and heroism in action against enemy Japanese aircraft, shore batteries, surface forces, submarines and mines in the Pacific campaign. Operating in actual contact with the enemy and under attack, the U.S.S. MANLEY performed her duties as a highspeed transport in an outstanding manner. Operating throughout the Southern Solomons campaign at a time when the United States Fleet was at a low ebb in comparison with the forces of the enemy, the U.S.S. MANLEY remained in areas under enemy control for long periods of time in support of the landing forces, making repeated landings behind the enemy lines, thus contributing greatly to the decisive victory achieved. Her courageous determination and effort were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
All personnel attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. MANLEY during one or more of the designated periods are hereby authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon.
John L. Sullivan
Secretary of the Navy
Other Comments:
In loving memory,
Your daughter Vicki
and son
Jim, CE2 , USN, Vietnam 1967-69
World War II/Asiatic-Pacific Theater/Luzon Campaign (1944-45)
From Month/Year
December / 1944
To Month/Year
April / 1945
Description On December 15, 1944, landings against minimal resistance were made on the southern beaches of the island of Mindoro, a key location in the planned Lingayen Gulf operations, in support of major landings scheduled on Luzon. On January 9, 1945, on the south shore of Lingayen Gulf on the western coast of Luzon, General Krueger's Sixth Army landed his first units. Almost 175,000 men followed across the twenty-mile (32 km) beachhead within a few days. With heavy air support, Army units pushed inland, taking Clark Field, 40 miles (64 km) northwest of Manila, in the last week of January.
Two more major landings followed, one to cut off the Bataan Peninsula, and another, that included a parachute drop, south of Manila. Pincers closed on the city and, on February 3, 1945, elements of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division pushed into the northern outskirts of Manila and the 8th Cavalry Regiment (organized as infantry) passed through the northern suburbs and into the city itself.
As the advance on Manila continued from the north and the south, the Bataan Peninsula was rapidly secured. On February 16, paratroopers and amphibious units simultaneously assaulted the islet of Corregidor. It was necessary to take this stronghold because troops there can block the entrance of Manila Bay. The Americans needed to establish a major harbor base at Manila Bay to support the expected invasion of Japan, planned to begin on November 1, 1945. Resistance on Corregidor ended on February 27, and then all resistance by the Japanese Empire ceased on August 15, 1945, obviating the need for an invasion of the Japanese Home Islands.
Despite initial optimism, fighting in Manila was harsh. It took until March 3 to clear the city of all Japanese troops, and the Japanese Marines, who fought on stubbornly and refused to either surrender or to evacuate as the Japanese Army had done. Fort Drum, a fortified island in Manila Bay near Corregidor, held out until 13 April, when a team of Army troops went ashore and pumped 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel into the fort, then set off incendiary charges. No Japanese soldiers in Fort Drum survived the blast and fire.
In all, ten U.S. divisions and five independent regiments battled on Luzon, making it the largest American campaign of the Pacific war, involving more troops than the United States had used in North Africa, Italy, or southern France.