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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Francis Xavier McInerney (NSN: 0-56889), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander, Destroyer Squadron TWENTY-ONE, as part of a task force in the vicinity of Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands, during landing operations on 5 – 6 July 1943. At about one o’clock in the morning of 5 July a cruiser-destroyer task force entered the restricted and submarine infested waters of Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands and, in the face of enemy gun and torpedo fire bombarded enemy batteries and shore installations covering the landing of United States troops at Rice Anchorage, New Georgia Island. Captain McInerney was in command of the destroyers of this force, flying his pennant in the leading ship of the formation. The success of the entire operation was due in no small measure to his leadership, courage and determination. Twenty-four hours later, in the early hours of 6 July, the same Task Force composed of three cruisers and four destroyers engaged an enemy force of about ten vessels standing out of Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands, and by accurate and overwhelming gun and torpedo fire sank or severely damaged all of them. Captain McInerney again was in command of the destroyers of this force. Much of the credit for this victory is due to his cool courage, determination, able leadership, and tactical skill. During this engagement the U.S.S. HELENA was sunk by enemy torpedo fire. At the end of the second phase of the action, Captain McInerney with two destroyers was ordered to return to the scene and rescue survivors from that ship. While so engaged, on three separate occasions these destroyers interrupted their rescue operations to attack enemy vessels attempting to escape from Kula Gulf sinking two vessels and severely damaging a third. They nevertheless managed to rescue approximately seven hundred survivors. The success of these latter operations which were carried out under the immediate command of Captain McInerney was due directly to his daring, gallantry, and perseverance. His conduct throughout the entire conflict, extending throughout two days, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Destroyer Task Group

    Action Date:

    July 13, 1943
    Commander South Pacific: Serial 001979 (September 28, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Francis Xavier McInerney (NSN: 0-56889), United States Navy, for gallantry, intrepidity and conspicuously meritorious service in the line of his profession as Commander of a Task Group of Destroyers during the engagement with Japanese naval forces off Kolombangara Island, British Solomon Islands, in the early morning hours of 13 July 1943. Captain McInerney, Flying his pennant in the U.S.S. NICHOLAS (DD-449), was in tactical command of the destroyers in the van. Due to his tactical skill, determination and courageous leadership, these destroyers were enabled to take the enemy under a concentration of gun and torpedo fire which contributed in great measure to the complete destruction of four to six of the enemy ships. During a subsequent encounter with a separate enemy force in which our cruisers received damage from enemy torpedoes, Captain McInerney make skillful disposition of his destroyers in screening our damaged ships and escorting them safely into port. His conduct throughout all these operations was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral [then Captain]

    Action Date:

    July 15 – 16, 1943
    Board Serial 532 (May 29, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Rear Admiral [then Captain] Francis Xavier McInerney (NSN: 0-56889), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the Commander of a Naval Task Unit of Destroyers which covered the operations of other naval units engaged in the rescue of about 165 naval survivors of the sunken United States Ship HELENA, who had reached shore on the enemy-occupied island of Vella Lavella in the New Georgia Islands. During the night of 15 – 16 July 1943, he conducted his unit from Guadalcanal through THE SLOT to the northwest of Vella Lavella to appropriate covering positions, thereby deliberately incurring observation and actual attack by enemy aircraft and in spite of possible attack by superior enemy naval forces based nearby at the Shortlands. In the morning of 16 July he retired to base via THE SLOT. Because of Captain McInerney’s daring, skill, and determination, the operations of the covering and the rescue units were completely successful, and the entire mission was performed without damage to United States Naval Forces. His outstanding conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Rear Admiral McInerney is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)