The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Henry Algernon Renken (NSN: 0-70350), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service from 27 Marcy 1962 to 10 January 1963 as Deputy to the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (General Planning and Programming), and from 10 January 1963 to 11 June 1965 as Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (General Planning and Programming). Rear Admiral Renken made an invaluable contribution to the reorganization of the Navy Program Planning System which provided greater management effectiveness and responsiveness to the Department of Defense Programming System. He was instrumental in the initiation, development and operation of a most effective integrated program planning system for the Chief of Naval Operations, and contributed significantly to the development of the Navy Five Year Force Structure and Financial Program and to the formulation and implementation of the Navy Cost Information System. Additionally, he envisioned, developed, and expedited the implementation of revised procedures and format for the Department of the Navy Program Objectives which facilitated the formulation, precise costing, and organization of proposed new programs into Program Change Proposals. By his outstanding leadership, professional competence, and devotion to duty, Rear Admiral Renken has contributed greatly to the operating efficiency of the Department of the Navy as well as to the mission accomplishment of the United States Navy.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Hambleton (DD-455)Action Date:
May 17, 1944
Serial 4837 (August 10, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Henry Algernon Renken (NSN: 0-70350), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HAMBLETON (DD-455), during operations against an enemy submarine off Cape Santa Pola, 17 May 1944. Encountering an enemy submarine on the surface, Commander Renken skillfully maneuvered his ship in support of the other units of the attack group which closed and engaged the enemy undersea craft with gunfire and depth charges. Although contact with the submarine was lost for a period of three hours, he relentlessly conducted a search until contact was regained, launched an effective depth-charge attack which forced the enemy craft to the surface and assisted in destroying the vital ship with gunfire. His exceptional professional ability and prompt and decisive action were contributing factors in clearing the Mediterranean Sea for the safe passage of Allied shipping and in the conduct of extended and arduous operations against the enemy. Commander Renken’s gallant devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Renken is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Legion of Merit
Commander in Chief Atlantic: Serial 3031 (June 17, 1946)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Commander Henry Algernon Renken (NSN: 0-70350), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Operations and War Plans Office on the Staff of the Commander-in-Chief, United States Atlantic Fleet, during operations against enemy forces from June to September 1945. Skilled and tireless in the performance of duty, Commander Renken rendered valuable service in directing the war plans of the Atlantic Fleet as well as supervising the preparation of bases and post-war plans for Fleet employment, thereby insuring adequate base support during this critical period. His industry and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Hambleton (DD-455)Action Date:
June 6 & 25, 1944
Commander Naval Forces Europe: Serial 9749 (October 14, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Henry Algernon Renken (NSN: 0-70350), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. HAMBLETON (DD-455), during the amphibious assault on Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944, and the bombardment of Cherbourg, France, on 25 June 1944. Maneuvering through heavily mined waters and under intense and accurate gunfire from enemy shore batteries, Commander Renken directed his ship in delivering devastating fire against enemy fortifications and gun emplacements and in screening heavy ships from enemy surface forces and submarines. His leadership and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Board Serial 5185 (July 13, 1967)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Henry Algernon Renken (NSN: 0-70350), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service from June 1965 to June 1967 as Commander Service Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Exercising outstanding leadership and administrative and planning ability, Rear Admiral Renken improved the efficiency of his Force, enhanced economy of operation, and provided effective logistic support to the United States Atlantic Fleet. His efforts to improve the readiness posture, increase operating efficiency, and reduce construction and overhaul costs, have resulted in the construction of the first barge-mounted Mobile Utility Support Equipment; proposals for remedial action to reduce loss of ship-operating days and higher overhaul costs due to continued delays in shipyard completion dates; use of a simplified PERT system in ships of the Force undergoing shipyard overhaul; implementation of the Afloat Consumption Cost Effectiveness Surveillance System (ACCESS) program; and the economical redistribution of more than $3 million in shipboard excess material within the fleets. In addition to effectively supervising the buildup of the Atlantic Construction Force from five to twelve Mobile Construction Battalions, Rear Admiral Renken submitted pertinent proposals for the establishment of specialized Construction Battalion units to develop techniques and capabilities for rapid construction of harbors and port facilities, to render harbor clearance support, and to assist the Navy’s oceanographic effort. By his distinctive accomplishments and inspiring devotion to duty, Rear Admiral Renken upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.