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Stolen Honor. Captain of World War 2 Sub Chaser 'PC-566' only given Legion of Merit with V device for sinking U-166?
I watched this on PBS Nova. Lt. Commander Gordon Claudius did not get credit for sinking U-166 in July, 1942. His report was not accepted. He got an 'F' by his Command. I want the Navy to upgrade his award. He did not get his honor due until a few years ago. His Son was presented the Legion of Merit but I believe it should have been higher award. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn_WkSvU4lU
I watched this on PBS Nova. Lt. Commander Gordon Claudius did not get credit for sinking U-166 in July, 1942. His report was not accepted. He got an 'F' by his Command. I want the Navy to upgrade his award. He did not get his honor due until a few years ago. His Son was presented the Legion of Merit but I believe it should have been higher award. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn_WkSvU4lU
Stolen Valor
Honor
Submarines
Naval/Maritime History
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 7
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Damn, absolutely agree he should get credit for that sinking; also agree that the award should be upgraded.
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LTC (Join to see)
He did but in 2014. Watch the PBS link Joe. There is a lot more to the story and to hear 2 U-BOAT Captains tell us in excellent English how it was then.http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2014/12/22/navy-claudius-u-boat-wwii-566-/20777405/
PC skipper credited for sinking U-boat, 72 years late
The Navy posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit to a PC boat skipper for sinking a U-boat in 1942, an account the Navy had denied for seven decades.
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LTC (Join to see)
I thought that after being sent back to School that this guy's Career was over. I was surprised to find out this that he served 20 years more in the Active and Navy Reserve after he got his report refuted by his doubting Command.
http://www.ussfloydbparks.org/claudius.html
COL John Cole COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen F. CPT Pedro Meza PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
PO2 (Join to see) SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SGT (Join to see) SFC William Farrell
http://www.ussfloydbparks.org/claudius.html
COL John Cole COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen F. CPT Pedro Meza PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
PO2 (Join to see) SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SGT (Join to see) SFC William Farrell
Jamul: www.star77.org
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PO1 Tony Holland
Just one of many deserving tales of heroism and valorous service that were overlooked or denied. I remember a certain amount of regular navy resentment at the amount and types of awards made to SEAL Teams during the Vietnam era.
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An interesting request but I don't have enough information to become engaged. I'd have to know a lot more about the circumstances of the engagement to decide, wouldn't you? It would seem that the presentation of the Legion of Merit is an admission that his report was true. Thus, it would seem that the earlier denial of recognition was based on other factors (was he having problems in his relationship with his superiors? What were they? Why were they happening?) Also, I suspect that if his claim to sinking the uboat was not accepted, the crew likewise received no recognition. Was a unit citation justified? Was it awarded? So many questions...
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LTC (Join to see)
Jack, i don't know if there is a PC-566 or a Subchaser Association and the vessel was so small it did not deserve a name. I did read he earned had the Legion of Merit already on another accomplishment. I don't know why he would get the Legion of Merit again (unless it was of a higher Order of Merit). Here is what the crew of the DD Floyd Park and his surviving son posted about him.http://www.ussfloydbparks.org/claudius.html
Jamul: www.star77.org
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LTC (Join to see)
I know from your own personal Military Experience you are asking really good questions.
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LTC (Join to see)
That is what I want, Navy Input! I am surprised because he served honorably for 20 more years. The CNO and the Secretary of the Navy, you would think, would upgrade this award. I am baffled. I spoke to a retired Army O-6 before I posted this and he agreed with you!
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LTC (Join to see)
The Legion of Merit has many levels but I don't know what level it was. It still is better than a Bronze Star but lower than a Silver Star!
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LTC (Join to see)
Sub chasers were small and slow. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine_chaser
Submarine chaser - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A submarine chaser is a small and fast naval vessel, specifically intended for anti-submarine warfare. Although similar vessels were designed and used by many nations, this designation was most famously used by ships built by the US.[citation needed] Many of the US World War I sub-chasers found their way to friendly powers by way of Lend-Lease in World War II.
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