UNITED STATES SHIP BUCHANAN (DD484)



The Commanding Officer takes pleasure in commending

James Richard Clarkson,
Machinist Mate Third Class, United States Naval Reserve,

for service as set forth in the following

COMMENDATION:

"For credible performance of duty as a member of the Engineer's Force of the ex-United States Ship GWIN from 30 June, 1943, until 13 July, 1943, during which period his ship participated in the successful occupations of Rendova and Rice Anchorage, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, aided materially in successfully repelling a major air attack on one of the occupation Task Forces, effectively bombarded enemy installations on Munda, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, acted as an important unit of a special Task Group which daringly entered enemy waters to rescue survivors of the sunken United States Ship Helena, and was part of a Task Force which successfully engaged the Japanese in a night surface action. During the latter engagement, after aiding materially in the sinking of at least four Japanese vessels, the Gwin was damaged and was later sunk by a friendly destroyer. Clarkson's conduct under fire at his battle station in the Upper Handling Room of Main Battery Gun Number Two was most creditable on each occasion of action and contributed materially to each success"


FLOYD B.T. MYHRE,

Commander, U.S. Navy,
Commanding, U.S.S. BUCHANAN.

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This has been sent in by Mikki Tocco, daughter of James Clarkson, MM3/c, USS Buchanan. Copyright 1999, Richard Angelini. This website is a service by the USS Mayo group. Please ask to use any information. Thank you.