The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Enrique D’Hamel Haskins (NSN: 0-72381), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. GUITARRO (SS-363), on the FIRST War Patrol of that submarine during the period 7 May 1944 to 27 June 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the Southwest Pacific. Aggressive and relentless in tracking the enemy, Commander Haskins expertly maneuvered and fought his ship throughout repeated brilliantly executed attacks against hostile surface forces and, by his outstanding skill and daring, contributed to the success of the GUITARRO in sinking a destroyer and two other hostile vessels despite severe hostile countermeasures. Subjected to devastating gunfire attacks and severe depth charging during one furious engagement, he returned to the action and continued his same bold tactics to culminate in the sinking of a Japanese tanker twenty minutes later. Subsequently bringing his vessel safe to base without damage, Commander Haskins, by his inspiring leadership, cool courage and valiant devotion to the completion of a perilous assignment, contributed to the success of our forces in reducing Japanese Naval strength in the Pacific and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Commander Enrique D’Hamel Haskins (NSN: 0-72381), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. GUITARRO (SS-363), on the THIRD War Patrol of that submarine during the period 8 October 1944 to 16 November 1944, in enemy controlled waters in the South China Sea. Although his vessel sustained damage from the violent explosion of a hostile cargo vessel and received a severe depth charging from an enemy cruiser, Commander Haskins courageously carried out three successful attacks against hostile shipping to sink three cargo vessels and a large transport and to inflict extensive damage on a cruiser. In the course of this patrol, he sent numerous valuable contact reports concerning a large Japanese Task Force which was preparing to attack our Fleet and ground forces in the Philippines. By his inspiring leadership and gallant devotion to duty, Commander Haskins contributed materially to the success of our operations against enemy shipping and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.