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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander Robert Allen Joseph English (NSN: 0-57546), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in connection with the preparations of plans for the amphibious invasion of the Island of Sicily during World War II. Commander English, as War Planning Officer on the Staff of the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Northwest African Waters, was responsible for the preparation of the plans for the employment of Allied Naval Forces in the Sicilian invasion. Although allowed only a minimum of time in which to accomplish this important duty, he, without thought of his own personal welfare, worked day and night, and thereby succeeded in preparing complete plans which were thorough and sound, and which were a vital and major contribution to the success of the naval forces in establishing the U.S. Army forces in Sicily, and successfully maintaining them there in the face of air and ground attacks by enemy forces. The outstanding efficiency, professional perfection, and exceptional devotion to duty displayed by Commander English were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Division:

    S.S. Bear of Oakland, Byrd Antarctic Expeditionary Team (II)

    Action Date:

    1933 – 1935
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 229 (November 30, 1935)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant Robert Allen Joseph English (NSN: 0-57546), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition II ship, SS BEAR OF OAKLND, which during the time it was in Antarctic Waters did some very important and hazardous work in exploration to the northeastward of Little America. Through his courage, resourcefulness and engineering ability, Lieutenant English on several occasions saved the BEAR OF OAKLAND from disaster. All of his service with the expedition was performed with exceptional efficiency contributing greatly to its success.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    September 1943
    Commander Navy Forces North West African Waters: Serial 1503 (March 10, 1944)

    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 Captain Robert Allen Joseph English (NSN: 0-57546), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as War Plans Officer on the staff of a Naval Task Force Commander prior to and during the amphibious invasion of Italy, September 1943. Throughout the planning stages, Captain English exhibited outstanding professional skill and untiring energy in developing sound and comprehensive plans for the execution of a major amphibious assault on selected beaches in the Gulf of Salerno and the subsequent maintenance of the assaulting forces. The effective coordination of these plans with the Allied military, naval and air services involved required the utmost tact, self-confidence and meticulous attention to detail which he exercised to the highest degree in his dealings with the various staffs of the forces assigned. In carrying out the planned action, Captain English, by his expert knowledge and sound advice, greatly assisted the Task Force Commander in meeting all exigencies arising from the conduct of operations on such a vast scale and against determined enemy resistance and thereby contributed materially to the success of the invasion. The extraordinary ability, perseverance, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Captain English reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    April 8, 1942 – July 12, 1944
    War Department, General Orders No. 88 (November 23, 1944) & Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 349 (April 1946)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Captain Robert Allen Joseph English (NSN: 0-57546), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as War Plans Officer on the staff of a major naval task force commander responsible for the invasion of southern France from 8 April 1942 to 12 July 1944. Captain English developed and integrated employment plans vital to successful accomplishment of movement and subsequent maintenance of large amphibious forces involved. He enabled the task force commander to meet all urgencies incident to the operation, making material contributions to assault of ground forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Commander in Chief Atlantic: Serial 3889 (December 11, 1943)

    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 Captain Robert Allen Joseph English (NSN: 0-57546), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Operations Officer for planning on the Staff of an amphibious force commander during the landings in French Morocco. Captain English, with great perseverance, energy and effectiveness contributed in an outstanding manner to the formulation of plans which enabled a large sea-borne assault force to be assembled, transported, successfully landed and maintained on the hostile shore of French Morocco. During the combat operations, through his professional skill and keen understanding, he assisted materially in the efficient execution of the assault. His zeal, resourcefulness and sound judgment contributed greatly to the success of the landings. The extraordinary ability and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Captain English reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.