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Contact Info
Home Town Madison, WI
Last Address 341 W Crescent Knoll Libertyville, IL
Date of Passing Dec 07, 1973
Location of Interment U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery and Columbarium (VLM) - Annapolis, Maryland
Wall/Plot Coordinates 1 155
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Other Comments:
Navy Cross
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander John Martin Higgins (NSN: 0-57597), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander, Destroyer Division 23, engaged in the New Georgia Islands Operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area from June 30 to July 13, 1943. Despite repeated attacks by hostile aircraft, submarines, and shore batteries, Commander Higgins handled his ships with such distinguished ability that the transport unloaded and retired without damage. Participating in the Second Battle of Kula Gulf, on the night of 12–July 13, Commander Higgins displayed aggressive and brilliant leadership, contributing materially to the complete destruction of four and probably six enemy vessels. Commander Higgins' conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral John Martin Higgins (NSN: 0-57597), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commander Cruiser Division FIVE, and commander Southern and Eastern Support Groups in operations against enemy aggressor forces in the Korean Area from June 25 to December 27, 1950. At the commencement of hostilities, Rear Admiral Higgins, as the only subordinate Flag Officer Afloat in this area, was solely responsible for effecting Naval coordination with friendly ground forces and, during the difficult early days of the conflict, continued to perform this vital function. In conjunction with personnel of the Korean Military Advisory Group, he initiated an extremely effective shore-controlled gunfire system which disrupted North Korean communications and operations of military personnel along the East Korean coast by destroying bridges, railroads and troop concentrations and caused almost total interdiction of movement along the coastal route. Rear Admiral Higgins also directed the sustained bombardment of strong enemy shore installations at Inch'on, Korea, which was completely effective and contributed a large measure of success to this difficult operation. His leadership, professional ability and devotion to duty throughout reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.
CAPTAIN JOHN MARTIN HIGGINS, USN Captain, USS WISCONSIN 3/11/47-7/1/48 was born in Madison, Wisconsin 13 August 1899. He attended high school in the city before his appointment to the US Naval Academy from Wisconsin in 1918. He graduated and was commissioned Ensign in June 1922. He was assigned to the USS MISSISSIPPI, USS MARBLEHEAD, USS NOKOMIS, USS RALEIGH, USS PHILIP, USS MEDUSA, USS MELVILLE, USS ARGONNE and was Communications Officer aboard the USS PENNSYLVANIA. He commanded the Destroyer Divisions 22, 23 and 24, Destroyer Squadron 6, Destroyer Division 11 serving at various times aboard the destroyers MURY, FANNING and AULT. For his services in command of Destroyer Division 23 he was awarded the Navy Cross "for extraordinary heroism as Commander Destroyer Division 23 engaged in the New Georgia Islands Operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area from 30 June to 13 July 1943". In May 1945 he was transferred to Task Flotilla 3 as Commander in Destroyers, Pacific Fleet. He led his destroyer flotilla in attacks against units of the Japanese fleet and shore installations in the Iwo Jima operation, the first and second Tokyo raids, the Kyushu air strikes, the Okinawa operation, and the Minami Daito Shima and Chichi Jima bombardments. In the face of intense and determined air attacks, ships of his flotilla destroyed numerous enemy aircraft to protect the carriers and maintain the offensive power of the warships and aircraft of the task force. He received a second Legion of Merit for exceptional meritorious conduct as commander of a destroyer screen in a fast carrier task group from January to April 1945. Detached from that command in November 1945, Captain Higgins returned to the section, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, DC. He served as Chief of Staff and Aide to the commandant, Fourth Naval District, Philadelphia, PA until 11 March 1947 when he was ordered to command the USS WISCONSIN.
