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 Captain [then Commander] Royce Lawrence Gross, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SEAWOLF (SS-197), during a War Patrol of that vessel in enemy Japanese-controlled waters in the Pacific Area. With brilliant seamanship and resolute determination, Commander Gross, on three occasions, pressed home daring and skillfully executed attacks against hostile shipping and, despite enemy escort vessels, succeeded in sinking and damaging a substantial amount of Japanese tonnage. His inspiring leadership and courageous devotion to duty of his valiant command were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Navy Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
United States Navy Submarine (SS)Action Date:
1943
Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 2590 (August 17, 1943)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Royce Lawrence Gross, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Commanding Officer of a United States Submarine in action against enemy Japanese forces. Operating in heavily patrolled enemy waters, Commander Gross directed the performance and torpedo fire of his vessel with splendid initiative and outstanding professional ability, thus enabling his command to sink five hostile ships, including one destroyer. By skillful maneuvering and expert evasive tactics, he brought his submarine into port without damage, despite enemy gunfire and depth charge attacks. Commander Gross’ brilliant leadership and heroic conduct throughout these operations were an inspiration to his command and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Captain [then Commander]Division:
U.S.S. Seawolf (SS-197)Action Date:
January 10 & 11, 1944
Pacific Fleet, Board of Awards: Serial 54The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain [then Commander] Royce Lawrence Gross (NSN: 0-63352), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SEAWOLF (SS-197), on the TWELFTH War Patrol of that submarine on the night of 10 and 11 January 1944, in enemy controlled waters in the East China Sea. After contacting a heavily-escorted convoy, Captain Gross fearlessly penetrated the formidable enemy screen and launched a series of brilliantly executed attacks to sink or extensively damage six of the seven hostile ships. While en route home, with only three torpedoes remaining aboard, he intercepted another closely-guarded convoy, pressed home the attack and exploded a gasoline-laden freighter. Then, by a masterful performance in the use of his deck gun, he forced the other enemy ship into attack position for a friendly submarine. Constantly alert and aggressive throughout this patrol, Captain Gross and his valiant fighting ship accounted for 38,000 tons of Japanese shipping and skillfully evaded severe enemy countermeasures. His inspiring conduct and the outstanding performance of duty of his courageous officers and men were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
United States Navy Submarine (SS)Action Date:
World War II
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 332 (November 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander Royce Lawrence Gross (NSN: 0-63352), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of a United States Navy submarine during a war patrol in the Pacific during World War II. Commander Gross pressed home a series of attacks which resulted in the sinking or damaging of an important amount of hostile shipping.