Navy Federal Credit Union

Richard Ballinger graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1929. He retired as a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Gambier Bay (CVE-73)

    Action Date:

    October 25, 1944

    Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 01375 (April 5, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Richard Robert Ballinger (NSN: 0-62533), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in line with his profession as Executive Officer of the Escort Carrier U.S.S. GAMBIER BAY (CVE-73), in action against the enemy in the Battle of Samar Island on 25 October 1944. While his ship was under heavy gunfire and was being hit almost continuously by eight inch shells, he directed the men in the interior of the ship in their efforts to handle the many material casualties suffered by his vessel. His cool and calm manner had a steadying effect upon the whole crew. When the ship was ordered abandoned, he calmly and without regard for his own safety, made certain that the order to abandon ship was spread throughout the vessel. He actively supervised the crew in carrying out this order, while the ship was on fire in many places and, as he well knew, in imminent danger of suffering a major explosion. As a result of his efforts only about 122 men out of a crew of about 850 were lost, notwithstanding the face that the enemy continued to fire into the ship until it completely disappeared and even though the survivors were not rescued from the sea until the second day after the ship sank. Commander Ballinger’s conduct throughout the action was exemplary and in accordance with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.