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Contact Info
Home Town Buffalo, New York
Last Address Place of Birth: Elmira, New York Home of record: Berkeley, California Burial: Arlington National Cemetery
Date of Passing Mar 20, 1960
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
RAdm. Walter Victor Rudolph Vieweg
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS to WALTER VICTOR RUDOLPH VIEWEG, CAPTAIN, UNITED STATES NAVY, for service as set forth in the following citation:
"The Navy Cross is presented to Walter Victor Rudolph Vieweg, Captain, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Escort Carrier U.S.S. GAMBIER BAY (CVE-73), during action against enemy Japanese forces near Samar in the Philippine Islands, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. When a formidable column of Japanese ships attacked our escort carriers, Captain Vieweg held indomitably to a bold, aggressive course. He waged a fierce battle with planes and gunfire until, with vital machinery deep within the ship destroyed by the continuous blasting of heavy weapons, all hope of escape from disaster was shattered. Determined to fight the GAMBIER BAY to the end, he inspired all hands to heroic effort and, repeatedly exposing himself to the enemy's deadly bombardment, skillfully employed his few available weapons in valiant defense of his stricken vessel. The conduct of Captain Vieweg throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
For the President, /s/ James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy
World War II/American Theater
From Month/Year
December / 1941
To Month/Year
September / 1945
Description The American Theater was a minor area of operations during World War II. This was mainly due to both North and South America's geographical separation from the central theaters of conflict in Europe and Asia. Thus, any threat by the Axis Powers to invade the mainland United States or other areas was considered negligible, allowing for American resources to be deployed in overseas theaters.
This article includes attacks on continental territory, extending 200 miles (320 km) into the ocean, which is today under the sovereignty of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and several other smaller states, but excludes military action involving the Danish territory of Greenland, the Hawaiian Islands, and the Aleutian Islands. The most well known battles in North America during World War II were the Attack on Pearl Harbor (the first attack on US soil since the Battle of Ambos Nogales), the Aleutian Islands Campaign, the Battle of the St. Lawrence, and the attacks on Newfoundland.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
December / 1941
To Month/Year
September / 1945
Last Updated: Dec 24, 2023
Personal Memories
Memories "The Navy Cross is presented to Walter Victor Rudolph Vieweg, Captain, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Escort Carrier U.S.S. GAMBIER BAY (CVE-73), during action against enemy Japanese forces near Samar in the Philippine Islands, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. When a formidable column of Japanese ships attacked our escort carriers, Captain Vieweg held indomitably to a bold, aggressive course. He waged a fierce battle with planes and gunfire until, with vital machinery deep within the ship destroyed by the continuous blasting of heavy weapons, all hope of escape from disaster was shattered. Determined to fight the GAMBIER BAY to the end, he inspired all hands to heroic effort and, repeatedly exposing himself to the enemy's deadly bombardment, skillfully employed his few available weapons in valiant defense of his stricken vessel. The conduct of Captain Vieweg throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
