This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Sheila Rae Myers, HM3
to remember
Espe, Carl Frederick, VADM.
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Contact Info
Home Town McCandless Township, PA
Date of Passing Mar 07, 1988
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Wall/Plot Coordinates 2 4967-B
Military Service Number 57 547
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Other Comments:
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Awarded for Actions During Korean War
Service: Navy
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Carl Frederick Espe (NSN: 0-57547/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service to the United States in a position of great responsibility between 8 October 1951 and 29 March 1952. Rear Admiral Espe served with great distinction as Commander Amphibious Group ONE and as Commander Task Force NINETY, in connection with operations against enemy forces in the Korean area. He was outstandingly successful in effecting large scale movements of military personnel, equipment, and prisoners of war. His skillful planning and expeditious execution of amphibious troop movements was exemplified on the occasion of the rapid redeployment between Japan and Korea of approximately 62,000 troops, 16,000 short tons of cargo, and 1,620 vehicles. In addition to his outstanding contribution to the success of operations in Korea as Commander of Amphibious forces, he rendered valuable service in providing logistic support and amphibious training for U.S. Army units of Division strength. Throughout this period of service Rear Admiral Espe exhibited aggressive leadership, initiative, and a thorough knowledge of amphibious tactics. His distinguished service reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
Asiatic-Pacific Specified Raids (1944)/Formosa Air Battle
From Month/Year
October / 1944
To Month/Year
October / 1944
Description The Formosa Air Battle took place between October 10 and 20, 1944, off the eastern coasts of the Ryukyu Islands, Formosa, and Luzon. It was fought by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service and the approaching Task Force 38 of the United States Third Fleet and was one of a series of air raids on Japan during the Pacific War. The attacks served to prevent Japanese aircraft from participating in the Battle of Leyte Gulf later that month.
The battle was one-sided, as the U.S. practically dominated the air war due to the superior training and weaponry that it possessed at that point. Japanese air power in the region was battle exhausted, giving the Americans air superiority and weakening Japan's ability to defend the Okinawa Islands in the upcoming Okinawa Campaign. However, in an effort to boost morale and to cover up th
