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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Byron Hall Hanlon (NSN: 0-17669), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Underwater Demolition Teams, Amphibious Forces, United States Pacific Fleet, from 11 November 1944 to 5 June 1945. With great initiative, perseverance, and outstanding ability, he planned and directed the operations of Under-beaches preliminary to the amphibious landings on Luzon, Iwo Jima and Okinawa Gunto. By his devotion to duty, courage and skill in carrying out difficult missions against strongly fortified enemy held objectives, he contributed immeasurably to the success of these operations. His outstanding service and conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Hanlon is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    August 25, 1952 – February 26, 1953
    Headquarters Far East Command, General Orders No. 58 (May 5, 1953)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit (Army Award) to Rear Admiral Byron Hall Hanlon (NSN: 0-17669), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period 25 August 1952 to 26 February 1953.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    Underwater Demolitions Group (UDT)

    Action Date:

    February 17, 1945
    Commander Amphibious Forces Pacific Fleet: Serial 668 (June 6, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Byron Hall Hanlon (NSN: 0-17669), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander of the Naval Underwater Demolitions Group, in action against enemy Japanese forces during pre-invasion assault operations at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 17 February 1945. Braving heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire which sank one and seriously damaged ten of the twelve gunboats engaged in beach reconnaissance and clearance operations, Captain Hanlon skillfully led the demolitions teams and their supporting gunboats to within 1,000 yards of the hostile shore. When numerous casualties forced the temporary withdrawal of the gunboats, he lent encouragement to his group during the effecting of speedy repairs permitting speedy return to the line. By his leadership, courage and gallant fighting spirit, Captain Hanlon contributed materially to the success of our operations in this area and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    March 15 – July 21, 1956
    Board Serial 1060 (December 20, 1956)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Byron Hall Hanlon (NSN: 0-17669), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during the period 15 March to 21 July 1956, as Commander Joint Task Force SEVEN and as Senior Representative of the Atomic Energy Commission at the Pacific Proving Round during the conduct of Operation REDWING. Exercising unusual administrative ability and foresight, Rear Admiral Hanlon skillfully discharged his many varied and complex responsibilities throughout this period. As Commander Joint Task Force SEVEN, he effectively carried out the directives of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, realizing important savings in manpower and logistics by utilizing to the fullest the military personnel and resources made available to him. In his role as Senior Representative of the Atomic Energy Commission, he assumed complete responsibility for the scientific aspects of the operation and for the participation by civilian personnel. Under his inspiring leadership, the extremely difficult administrative, operational and logistic problems were solved, and the diverse components of the organization were welded into an efficient and effective unit which successfully completed the most extensive series of atomic tests yet conducted. Rear Admiral Hanlon’s outstanding professional skill, sound judgment and tireless devotion to duty throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    January 1, 1953 – March 31, 1954
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 35 (May 13, 1954)

    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 Rear Admiral Byron Hall Hanlon (NSN: 0-17669), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in positions of great responsibility as Assistant Chief of Staff, J5, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Affairs, Headquarters United Nations and Far East Command, from 1 January 1953 to 23 April 1954. He was faced with the extremely delicate task of accomplishing the objectives considered essential by the unified command in carrying out its assigned civil affairs mission, and, at the same time, recognizing the prerogatives of the ROK and Japan as sovereign and independent nations. His recommended courses of action in alleviating disease, starvation and unrest among the civilian populace of Korea, resulted in the establishment of materially satisfactory programs to aid the stricken Republic and to increase the capabilities of the Republic of Korea for economic self-sufficiency. Admiral Hanlon’s exceptional leadership and his outstanding ability to coordinate plans and policy matters with all agencies concerned with civil relief and economic aid programs, assisted immeasurably in insuring the fullest utilization of the total resources of the ROK. His intelligent, firm, and workable plans and projects, plus his knowledge of requirements, were primarily responsible for the successful implementation of the civil assistance program in Korea. Admiral Hanlon’s high professional standards, his perceptive planning ability, and his personal characteristics of loyalty and integrity, contributed immeasurably to his successful prosecution of the United Nations Command Civil Assistance mission in Korea and the civil relations aims and objectives in Japan, and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.