Charles Francis McGivern
Encyclopedia
Charles Francis McGivern was a Captain in the United States Navy
. During World War II
he was twice awarded the Silver Star
while serving aboard the USS Gato (SS-212)
, the first of which was for his actions during the Solomon Islands campaign
. Later he was awarded the Legion of Merit
with valor device
while in command of the USS Sea Devil (SS-400)
.
His first Silver Star citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Charles Francis McGivern (NSN: 0-81332), United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Assistant Approach Officer and Torpedo Data Computer Operator in the U.S.S. GATO (SS-212), during the FOURTH War Patrol of that Submarine from 13 January to 26 February 1943. Lieutenant McGivern performed his duties in an outstanding manner rendering inestimable assistance to his Commanding Officer in making six attacks in which 31,700 tons of enemy shipping were sunk and an unidentified vessel was damaged. Further, his devotion to duty throughout three previous War Patrols was of the highest order. His actions and conduct were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
His second Silver Star citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Charles Francis McGivern (NSN: 0-81332), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action with the enemy. During the FIFTH, SIXTH, and SEVENTH War Patrols of the U.S.S. GATO (SS-212) from 19 March 1943 to 10 January 1944, in enemy controlled waters, he as Assistant Approach Officer, Navigator, and Executive Officer rendered inestimable assistance to his Commanding Officer and was largely instrumental in the sinking of three valuable enemy ships totaling 21,000 tons and the damaging of three others of 20,000 tons. His accurate and skillful navigation under the most hazardous conditions enabled his ship to accomplish several missions in enemy held territory, which contributed greatly to the success of Allied operations. In addition, on one occasion when an unexploded enemy depth charge was found on the deck of his vessel, he volunteered to examine and sketch for intelligence purposes even though he was under enemy gunfire at the time. With complete disregard for his personal safety he obtained valuable information from the enemy depth charge, using a Japanese prisoner to copy the markings. His actions throughout these patrols was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
His Legion of Merit with valor device citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Lieutenant Commander Charles Francis McGivern (NSN: 0-81332), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SEA DEVIL (SS-400) during a War Patrol of that Submarine during World War II. With great skill and determination, he launched a daring torpedo attack which sent an enemy freighter of approximately 2,500 tons to the bottom. In addition, three trawlers were sunk in a well conducted gun engagement. Twelve friendly aviators were rescued after an extremely thorough and persistent search while performing lifeguard duties. He skillfully evaded all enemy countermeasures and brought his ship back to port safely. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Commander McGivern is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)
McGivern was born on March 1, 1915 in Kenosha, Wisconsin
and died on January 28, 1983. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy
in 1938.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he was twice awarded the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
while serving aboard the USS Gato (SS-212)
USS Gato (SS-212)
USS Gato was the lead ship of her class of submarine in the United States Navy. She was the first Navy ship named for the gato, a species of small catshark found in waters along the west coast of Mexico....
, the first of which was for his actions during the Solomon Islands campaign
Solomon Islands campaign
The Solomon Islands campaign was a major campaign of the Pacific War of World War II. The campaign began with Japanese landings and occupation of several areas in the British Solomon Islands and Bougainville, in the Territory of New Guinea, during the first six months of 1942...
. Later he was awarded the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with valor device
Valor device
The Valor device is an award of the United States military which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor...
while in command of the USS Sea Devil (SS-400)
USS Sea Devil (SS-400)
USS Sea Devil , a Balao-class submarine, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the sea devil , the largest of all rays, noted for power and endurance.-Construction and commissioning:...
.
His first Silver Star citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Charles Francis McGivern (NSN: 0-81332), United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Assistant Approach Officer and Torpedo Data Computer Operator in the U.S.S. GATO (SS-212), during the FOURTH War Patrol of that Submarine from 13 January to 26 February 1943. Lieutenant McGivern performed his duties in an outstanding manner rendering inestimable assistance to his Commanding Officer in making six attacks in which 31,700 tons of enemy shipping were sunk and an unidentified vessel was damaged. Further, his devotion to duty throughout three previous War Patrols was of the highest order. His actions and conduct were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
His second Silver Star citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Charles Francis McGivern (NSN: 0-81332), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action with the enemy. During the FIFTH, SIXTH, and SEVENTH War Patrols of the U.S.S. GATO (SS-212) from 19 March 1943 to 10 January 1944, in enemy controlled waters, he as Assistant Approach Officer, Navigator, and Executive Officer rendered inestimable assistance to his Commanding Officer and was largely instrumental in the sinking of three valuable enemy ships totaling 21,000 tons and the damaging of three others of 20,000 tons. His accurate and skillful navigation under the most hazardous conditions enabled his ship to accomplish several missions in enemy held territory, which contributed greatly to the success of Allied operations. In addition, on one occasion when an unexploded enemy depth charge was found on the deck of his vessel, he volunteered to examine and sketch for intelligence purposes even though he was under enemy gunfire at the time. With complete disregard for his personal safety he obtained valuable information from the enemy depth charge, using a Japanese prisoner to copy the markings. His actions throughout these patrols was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
His Legion of Merit with valor device citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Lieutenant Commander Charles Francis McGivern (NSN: 0-81332), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SEA DEVIL (SS-400) during a War Patrol of that Submarine during World War II. With great skill and determination, he launched a daring torpedo attack which sent an enemy freighter of approximately 2,500 tons to the bottom. In addition, three trawlers were sunk in a well conducted gun engagement. Twelve friendly aviators were rescued after an extremely thorough and persistent search while performing lifeguard duties. He skillfully evaded all enemy countermeasures and brought his ship back to port safely. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Commander McGivern is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)
McGivern was born on March 1, 1915 in Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha is a city and the county seat of Kenosha County in the State of Wisconsin in United States. With a population of 99,218 as of May 2011, Kenosha is the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin. Kenosha is also the fourth-largest city on the western shore of Lake Michigan, following Chicago,...
and died on January 28, 1983. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1938.