The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Commander Henry Glass Munson, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. CREVALLE (SS-291), on the SECOND War Patrol of that submarine during the period 30 December 1943 to 20 February 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the South China Sea. Vigilantly searching the seas for Japanese shipping, Commander Munson pursued one hostile ship for fifteen hours and, driven off four times by enemy escorts, relentlessly returned to press home his attack, climaxing this prolonged chase and engagement by sending the enemy to the bottom. With only two worthwhile contacts picked up by the CREVALLE, he requested and received a five-day extension of the regular patrol period, setting out with renewed vigor to intercept Japanese surface units. Tracking one escorted convoy of nine ships covered by hostile aircraft from mid-morning until dark, he directed the gallant submarine in a bold night surface attack and succeeded in scoring torpedo hits upon six enemy vessels, escaping damage to his own ship despite wild Japanese gunfire and intense depth-charge barrages. Under his brilliant leadership, the CREVALLE completed a daring patrol in the face of terrific opposition, sinking three freighters, one armed patrol tug and a sailing craft, and damaging four other hostile ships. Through his experience and sound judgment Commander Munson brought his ship safely back to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Navy Cross
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Navy Cross
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Navy Cross
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U.S.S. Crevalle (SS-291)Action Date:
October 27 – December 7, 1943
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 338 (June 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Henry Glass Munson, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. CREVALLE (SS-291), on the FIRST War Patrol of that submarine during the period 27 October 1943 to 7 December 1943, in enemy controlled waters off the coast of Manila, in the Philippine Islands. Commander Munson took advantage of every favorable attack opportunity and, fighting his ship with determined aggressiveness, succeeded in sinking or damaging an important amount of vital hostile shipping. Displaying skillful evasive tactics in the face of vigorous enemy countermeasures, he handled his vessel with outstanding proficiency and brilliant seamanship, bringing the CREVALLE through each fierce engagement without damage. Through his experience and sound judgment Commander Munson brought his ship safely back to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
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U.S.S. Rasher (SS-269)Action Date:
June 22 – September 3, 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 Navy Cross to Commander Henry Glass Munson, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. RASHER (SS-269), on the FIFTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 22 June 1944 to 3 September 1944, and as Commander of the Coordinated Attack Group of two submarines during that period, on patrol in the South China Sea west of Luzon. Skillfully maneuvering his ship to penetrate strong enemy escort screens maintained around enemy shipping, Commander Munson launched bold, aggressive attacks in the face of heavy and persistent countermeasures, to score twenty-one hits out of twenty-four torpedoes fired, sinking five enemy ships totaling 22,000 tons. Planning and efficiently handling his own ship and another as a group, he enabled the other boat to sink two 10,000-ton enemy tankers and a large freighter of 19,500 tons. Through his experience and sound judgment Commander Munson brought his ship safely back to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.