John Higgins (admiral)
Encyclopedia
John Martin Higgins was a Rear Admiral (Upper Half)
in the United States Navy
.
, in 1899. Graduating from the United States Naval Academy
in 1922, he served prior to World War II in battleships, destroyers and other surface ships, as well as on periodic shore duty. In 1941-42, he commanded the destroyer . Promoted to captain in mid-1942, during the rest of World War II he led several destroyer units in combat in the Central Solomons, off Iwo Jima
and Okinawa and during raids on Japan.
As Commander of Destroyer Division 23, Higgins was aboard Gwin when she was torpedoed at the Battle of Kolombangara
on 13 July 1943. Two officers and 59 men were killed and Gwin was later scuttled. For his "aggressive and brilliant leadership" during this battle, as well as his "extraordinary heroism and distinguished service" during the preceding New Georgia Campaign, Higgins was awarded the Navy Cross
.
Following the Japanese surrender, Higgins held important staff positions and was commanding officer of the battleship (March 1947–January 1948). After promotion to the rank of rear admiral, he commanded Cruiser Division 5, and was also commander of the Southern and Eastern Support Groups in operations against enemy forces in the Korean War
from 25 June to 27 December 1950. For his "exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service" Higgins was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
.
In 1951-52 he led the Pacific Fleet Mine Force. Higgins held several shore billets during the remainder of his service, including commandant of two naval districts
, and Chief of the Military Advisory Group, Japan, in 1957-59. He retired from active duty in September 1961.
Rear Admiral John M. Higgins died on 7 December 1973.
His Navy Distinguished Service Medal citation reads:
His Silver Star citation reads:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Rear Admiral John Martin Higgins (NSN: 0-57597), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commander, Cruiser Division FIVE, Joint Task Force SEVEN, United Nations Command, in action in the Inchon-Seoul operation during the period 15 September to 21 September 1950. His actions contributed materially to the success of this operation and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
His first Legion of Merit citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Commodore John Martin Higgins (NSN: 0-57597), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Screen Commander operating with a fast carrier Task Force in Western Pacific waters from 1 July 1945 to the close of hostilities against the Japanese Empire on 15 August 1945. During this period he participated in strikes against Kyushu, Shikoku, Honshu, and Hokkaido. With unremitting effort and determination he achieved a high standard of combat readiness and fighting efficiency throughout the task unit under his command. By his initiative, perseverance and ability he contributed materially to the success of those major operations against the enemy. His outstanding service and performance of duty were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commodore Higgins is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)
His second Legion of Merit 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 Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Commodore John Martin Higgins (NSN: 0-57597), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Screen Commander of a Fast Carrier Task Group in operations against the enemy during the period from 26 January 1945 to 18 April 1945. In command of an important unit of our forces in operations against the enemy's shore installations, air power, and forces afloat, his inspiring leadership maintained the fighting efficiency of the ships under his command at a high peak, and made possible an outstanding record of destruction wreaked upon the enemy on land, at sea, and in the air. His cool and resourceful exercise of command in battle, when ships of the Task Group were subjected to intense and determined enemy air attack, were of invaluable assistance to the Task Group Commander in repelling these attacks, and in thus maintaining the offensive power of our ships and aircraft. His courageous, inspiring leadership was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commodore Higgins is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)
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...
.
Biography
Higgins was born in Madison, WisconsinMadison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, in 1899. Graduating 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 1922, he served prior to World War II in battleships, destroyers and other surface ships, as well as on periodic shore duty. In 1941-42, he commanded the destroyer . Promoted to captain in mid-1942, during the rest of World War II he led several destroyer units in combat in the Central Solomons, off Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima, officially , is an island of the Japanese Volcano Islands chain, which lie south of the Ogasawara Islands and together with them form the Ogasawara Archipelago. The island is located south of mainland Tokyo and administered as part of Ogasawara, one of eight villages of Tokyo...
and Okinawa and during raids on Japan.
As Commander of Destroyer Division 23, Higgins was aboard Gwin when she was torpedoed at the Battle of Kolombangara
Battle of Kolombangara
The Battle of Kolombangara was a naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the night of 12/13 July 1943, off Kolombangara in the Solomon Islands.-Background:...
on 13 July 1943. Two officers and 59 men were killed and Gwin was later scuttled. For his "aggressive and brilliant leadership" during this battle, as well as his "extraordinary heroism and distinguished service" during the preceding New Georgia Campaign, Higgins was 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...
.
Following the Japanese surrender, Higgins held important staff positions and was commanding officer of the battleship (March 1947–January 1948). After promotion to the rank of rear admiral, he commanded Cruiser Division 5, and was also commander of the Southern and Eastern Support Groups in operations against enemy forces in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
from 25 June to 27 December 1950. For his "exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service" Higgins was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...
.
In 1951-52 he led the Pacific Fleet Mine Force. Higgins held several shore billets during the remainder of his service, including commandant of two naval districts
United States Naval Districts
The naval district is a military and administrative command ashore, established for the purpose of decentralizing the U.S. Navy Department's functions with respect to the control of the coastwise sea communications and the shore activities outside the department proper, and for the further purpose...
, and Chief of the Military Advisory Group, Japan, in 1957-59. He retired from active duty in September 1961.
Rear Admiral John M. Higgins died on 7 December 1973.
Citations
His Navy Cross citation reads:- 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.
His Navy Distinguished Service Medal citation reads:
- 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 GroupKorean Military Advisory GroupThe Korean Military Advisory Group was a United States military unit of the Korean War...
, 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.
His Silver Star citation reads:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Rear Admiral John Martin Higgins (NSN: 0-57597), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commander, Cruiser Division FIVE, Joint Task Force SEVEN, United Nations Command, in action in the Inchon-Seoul operation during the period 15 September to 21 September 1950. His actions contributed materially to the success of this operation and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
His first Legion of Merit citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Commodore John Martin Higgins (NSN: 0-57597), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Screen Commander operating with a fast carrier Task Force in Western Pacific waters from 1 July 1945 to the close of hostilities against the Japanese Empire on 15 August 1945. During this period he participated in strikes against Kyushu, Shikoku, Honshu, and Hokkaido. With unremitting effort and determination he achieved a high standard of combat readiness and fighting efficiency throughout the task unit under his command. By his initiative, perseverance and ability he contributed materially to the success of those major operations against the enemy. His outstanding service and performance of duty were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commodore Higgins is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)
His second Legion of Merit 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 Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Commodore John Martin Higgins (NSN: 0-57597), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Screen Commander of a Fast Carrier Task Group in operations against the enemy during the period from 26 January 1945 to 18 April 1945. In command of an important unit of our forces in operations against the enemy's shore installations, air power, and forces afloat, his inspiring leadership maintained the fighting efficiency of the ships under his command at a high peak, and made possible an outstanding record of destruction wreaked upon the enemy on land, at sea, and in the air. His cool and resourceful exercise of command in battle, when ships of the Task Group were subjected to intense and determined enemy air attack, were of invaluable assistance to the Task Group Commander in repelling these attacks, and in thus maintaining the offensive power of our ships and aircraft. His courageous, inspiring leadership was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commodore Higgins is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)