Edmond Konrad
Encyclopedia
Edmond G. Konrad was a Rear Admiral
in the United States Navy
. Konrad was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy
, Class of 1932. While a Commander
serving aboard the carrier during World War II
, Konrad was twice awarded the Navy Cross
and was also awarded the Silver Star
.
His first Navy Cross citation reads:
His second Navy Cross citation reads:
His Silver Star citation reads:
Konrad was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
.
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
in the United States Navy
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...
. Konrad was a graduate of 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...
, Class of 1932. While a Commander
Commander (United States)
In the United States, commander is a military rank that is also sometimes used as a military title, depending on the branch of service. It is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the military, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Naval rank:In the United States...
serving aboard the carrier 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...
, Konrad was twice awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
and was also 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....
.
His first Navy Cross citation reads:
- The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Edmond George Konrad (NSN: 0-71544), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Plane and Commander of Air Group SEVENTEEN (AG-17), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), during an attack on major units of the enemy Fleet and strong harbor defense installations in the Kure Bay Area of HonshūHonshuis the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Flying a fighter plane, Commander Konrad led his group into the attack through extremely intense anti-aircraft fire, inflicting severe damage upon the harbor installations, and sinking several merchant vessels. Under his gallant leadership and direction, numerous bomb hits were scored on a battleship, a large aircraft carrier, a small carrier, two cruisers, and two destroyers. His devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
His second Navy Cross 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 Navy Cross to Commander Edmond George Konrad (NSN: 0-71544), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Plane and Commander of Air Group SEVENTEEN (AG-17), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), during an attack against an enemy surface Force in the East China SeaEast China SeaThe East China Sea is a marginal sea east of China. It is a part of the Pacific Ocean and covers an area of 1,249,000 km² or 750,000 square miles.-Geography:...
, on 7 April 1945. When the air coordinator for our Task Group was forced to return to base, Commander Konrad assumed command and, despite adverse weather conditions which compelled him to circle the target area at low altitude in range of intense anti-aircraft fire, directed a series of successful attacks in which numerous torpedo and bomb hits were scored on a battleship, a cruiser and four destroyers, all of which eventually sank. His leadership, courage and devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
His Silver Star citation reads:
- The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Edmond George Konrad (NSN: 0-71544), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Plane and Commander of Air Group SEVENTEEN (AG-17), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of KyūshūKyushuis the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
, Japan, on 14 May 1945. Leading the first attack of carrier-based bomber, torpedo and fighter planes against the Kumamoto bomber aircraft factory and assembly plant while he was serving as Air Coordinator for his Task Group, Commander Konrad first reconnoitered the plant with a division of planes to obtain photographs of its installations and information of military value and, rejoining his flight in the face of anti-aircraft fire, directed the group in inflicting extensive damage on the factory and assembly buildings. After the attack, he led a division back over the area to obtain damage assessment photographs and, during the return to his carrier, launched a strike on a smaller factory and hydroelectric plant, inflicting serious damage and starting numerous fires. By his superior airmanship and gallant devotion to duty, Commander Konrad contributed greatly to the success of the mission and upheld the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service.
Konrad was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,916 people, 24,082 households, and 13,654 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,662.2 people per square mile . There were 25,420 housing units at an average density of 1,075.6 per square mile...
.