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Navy Federal Credit Union

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain [then Commander] Herman Oliff Parish, United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit 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. GILMER from December 1941 to 9 December 1942; Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. JOHN RODGERS from 9 February 1942 to August 1944; and Commander Destroyer Division 50 from 8 August 1944 to January 1945.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Destroyer Division 50

    Action Date:

    April 14, 1945
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0557 (September 13, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Herman Oliff Parish, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Commander of Destroyer Division FIFTY (DesDiv 50), on Radar Picket Line, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa, on 14 April 1945. Undaunted by overwhelming odds, Captain Parish skillfully directed ships and aircraft under his command in repelling suicide attacks by fifteen to twenty hostile planes, thereby playing a major part in destroying ten aircraft and denying the remainder access to his Task Group. By his courageous leadership, he contributed to maintaining the safety of the Task Force and his devotion to the fulfillment of a vital assignment reflects the highest credit upon Captain Parish and the United States Naval Service.