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Contact Info
Home Town Wilmington, DE
Last Address San Diego, CA
Date of Passing Dec 26, 1983
Location of Interment Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (VA) - San Diego, California
Legion of Merit
“For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff of Commander, Landing Craft Flotillas, Third Amphibious Force, from February 1943 to May 1944. During this period, Captain Decker was largely responsible for the preparation and successful execution of the strenuous amphibious operations throughout the Solomon Islands Campaign. Due to her thorough and highly efficient training program, the assault troops carried out many difficult landings, defeating a powerful enemy at each encounter, despite strongly entrenched positions and numerically superior forces. Captain Decker served as Commander of a task unit in the initial landings on New Georgia Island, exhibiting outstanding courage and professional skill which were an inspiration to the officers and men under his command. His brilliant leadership and unselfish devotion to duty contributed materially to the defeat of the Japanese forces in the South Pacific and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
Legion of Merit
“For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff of an Amphibious Task Force prior to and during the assault on the enemy Japanese-held islands of Peleliu an Angaur in the Palau Group from July to October 1944. An efficient and inspiring leader, zealous in the performance of duty, Captain Decker succeeded in organizing the staff within an extremely limited period of time, and, by his tireless efforts, able guidance and determined aggressiveness, contributed essentially to the early completion of this vital operation.”
Western Caroline Islands Operation/Battle of Peleliu
From Month/Year
September / 1944
To Month/Year
October / 1944
Description The Battle of Peleliu, codenamed Operation Stalemate II, was fought between the United States and the Empire of Japan in the Pacific Theater of World War II, from September–November 1944 on the island of Peleliu, present-day Palau. U.S. Marines of the First Marine Division and later soldiers of the U.S. Army's 81st Infantry Division, fought to capture an airstrip on the small coral island. This battle was part of a larger offensive campaign known as Operation Forager which ran from June–November 1944 in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
Major General William Rupertus, USMC—commander of 1st Marine Division—predicted the island would be secured within four days. However, due to Japan's well-crafted fortifications and stiff resistance, the battle lasted over two months. In the United States, it was a controversial battle because of the island's questionable strategic value and the high casualty rate, which exceeded all other amphibious operations during the Pacific War. The National Museum of the Marine Corps called it "the bitterest battle of the war for the Marines".
