The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander George Goldston Palmer (NSN: 0-63369), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. COLE (DD-155), during the occupation of the harbor Safi, French Morocco, 8 November 1942. Before daylight on 8 November 1942, Lieutenant Commander Palmer in the COLE led the first wave of assault boats to the assigned over beaches off Safi and then entered the harbor in support of the U.S.S. BERNADOU. With gallantry and intrepidity at grave risk to his own life, the lives of his crew and the embarked assault troops, he navigated his ship successfully through the unknown waters and the narrow entrance in the face of heavy gunfire from three shore batteries and several machine gun emplacements. While thus engaged he laid his ship alongside a dock and landed the assault troops. Lieutenant Commander Palmer thereafter greatly assisted the successful action of the assault troops by the accurate support fire of the COLE’s main battery. The fact that this exceptional feat was accomplished in almost total darkness without loss of life and disabling damage to the COLE are testimonials to the valor, intelligence and seamanship of this gallant officer, and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Harding (DD-625)Action Date:
August 17 – 18, 1944
Commander 8th Fleet: Serial 4984 (September 4, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander George Goldston Palmer (NSN: 0-63369), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HARDING (DD-625), while operating as the outer beachhead screen during the amphibious invasion of Southern France on the night of 17 – 18 August 1944. Commander Palmer, displaying outstanding skill and daring, led his ship into action with three other destroyers of the attacking group against five enemy E-boats attempting to pierce the outer beachhead screen and inflict damage on valuable shipping anchored inshore, which was discharging urgent cargo over the assault beaches in support of the Allied Armies. In the ensuing engagement, he fought his ship with conspicuous gallantry and by accurate gunfire sank two of the enemy craft, recovering twelve enemy prisoners including the two captains. These decisive operations, fearlessly executed, prevented probable disruption of unloading operations and contributed materially to our ability to provide an uninterrupted flow of supplies to the rapidly advancing ground forces. The aggressive leadership, intrepidity in action, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Commander Palmer were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Harding (DD-625)Action Date:
June 6 & 7, 1944
Commander Naval Forces Europe: Serial 9356 (October 6, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Commander George Goldston Palmer (NSN: 0-63369), United States Navy, for meritorious performance of duty as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HARDING (DD-625), in action against German Coastal troops in the Bay of Seine on 6 and 7 June 1944. Commander Palmer pressed his attack with gallantry while his ship was under fire by enemy coastal defenses and machine gun fire from enemy troops. He skillfully and efficiently handled his ship closing the range to the shore so that his main battery was able to silence enemy guns which were firing heavily on our troops on the landing beaches and on landing craft carrying our troops to the beaches. Commander Palmer’s determination to close the enemy and deliver a heavy volume of close support fire was of invaluable aid to our troops and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.