James Franklyn McDowell

Conflicts & Campaigns

• North African - November 1942
• Gilbert Islands - November 1943; Marshall Islands - January - February 1944; Hollandia - April 1944
• Mariana Islands - June - July 1944
• Western New Guinea September 1944; Leyte - October 1944; Okinawa - April 1945

Significant Duty Stations

• USS Langley (CV-1); USS Sangamon (CVE-26)

Decorations & Citations

• Presidential Unit Citation; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one battle star; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one silver star and two battle stars; World War II Victory Medal; Philippine Presidential Unit Citation; Philippine Liberation Medal.
• Presidential Unit Citation reads..."For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy forces in the air, ashore and afloat. The first escort carrier to prove the feasibility of complete night air group operations, the USS Sangamon and her attached air groups struck with sustained fury at hostile warships, airborne and grounded planes and shore installations and remained on station to provide air support for ground operations. In the historic Battle for Leyte Gulf, these gallant officers and men aided substantially in turning back a large force of Japanese capital ships from San Bernardino Strait with heavy damage inflicted on the enemy. Despite the strain of constant alerts and long periods of unrelieved action, the Sangamon launched her planes in day and night operations, contributing vitally to the success of putting assault forces ashore in landing craft and maintaining cover until air bases had been captured and reestablished. Although seriously damaged when hit by a Japanese suicide bomber on May 4 1944, the Sangamon succeeded in retiring to a rear area on her own power. Her outstanding record of destruction to the enemy's vital ships, planes and emplacements is evidence of the Sangamon's fighting spirit and of the gallantry and skill of her officers and men which enhanced the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
• Signed for the President; John L Sullivan Secretary of the Navy.

Notes

US Navy service number 269-19-23