Navy career

Suesens enlisted in the Naval Reserve

United States Navy Reserve

The United States Navy Reserve, until 2005 known as the United States Naval Reserve, is the Reserve Component of the United States Navy...

 31 May 1938. Appointed Aviation Cadet

Cadet

A cadet is a trainee to become an officer in the military, often a person who is a junior trainee. The term comes from the term "cadet" for younger sons of a noble family.- Military context :...

 4 October 1938 and commissioned ensign 15 October 1939, he reported for duty in Torpedo

Torpedo

The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...

 Squadron 3, on board USS Saratoga (CV-3)

USS Saratoga (CV-3)

USS Saratoga was the second aircraft carrier of the United States Navy and the fifth ship to bear her name. She was commissioned one month earlier than her sister and class leader, , which is the third actually commissioned after and Saratoga...

 20 November 1939.

Awarded the Navy Cross

Promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) 1 November 1941, he was killed in action during the Battle of Midway

Battle of Midway

The Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, approximately one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea and six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy decisively defeated...

, June 1942. For his "extraordinary heroism" in pressing home his attack on Japanese naval units during that battle, despite "tremendous antiaircraft fire and overwhelming fighter opposition", Lieutenant (junior grade) Suesens 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...

 posthumously.

Namesake

USS Richard W. Suesens (DE-342)

USS Richard W. Suesens (DE-342)

USS Richard W. Suesens was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort in the United States Navy. It was named after Lieutenant Richard Wayne Suesens who died during the Battle of Midway and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for "extraordinary heroism".Richard W...

 was named in his honor. She was laid down 1 November 1943 by the Consolidated Steel Co., Ltd., Orange, Texas

Orange, Texas

Orange is a city in Orange County, Texas, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 18,643. It is the county seat of Orange County, and is the easternmost city in Texas. Located on the Sabine River at the border with Louisiana, it is part of the Beaumont–Port Arthur...

; launched 11 January 1944; sponsored by Mrs. R. W. Suesens, widow of Lieutenant (junior grade) Suesens; and commissioned 26 April 1944, Lt. Comdr. Milford McQuilkin in command.