Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Thomas Wesley Hogan, Jr. (NSN: 0-70149), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BONEFISH (SS-223), on the THIRD War Patrol of that submarine during the period 12 January 1944 to 15 March 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the South China Sea. Operating dangerously in shallow, restricted coastal waters, Commander Hogan daringly penetrated confined areas to execute two daring submerged torpedo attacks against heavily escorted enemy convoys, sinking a large tanker and a freighter, totaling over 21,000 tons, and seriously damaging another tanker of 19,000 tons, despite repeated enemy depth-charge and bombing attacks. Consistently vigilant and aggressive in his relentless stalking of the enemy, he made contact with a sixty-ton Japanese sailing vessel and, immediately surfacing, engaged and destroyed it with gunfire. By his staunch courage, professional skill and unfaltering devotion to duty, Commander Hogan rendered valuable service during a critical stage of the Pacific War, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself, his valiant command, and the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bonefish (SS-223)

    Action Date:

    April 15 – May 30, 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 335 (February 1945)

    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 Thomas Wesley Hogan, Jr. (NSN: 0-70149), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BONEFISH (SS-223), on the THIRD War Patrol of that submarine during the period 15 April 1944 to 30 May 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the Celebes Sea. Commander Hogan courageously and skillfully maneuvered his vessel into position from which to strike the enemy and in the face of heavy enemy countermeasures aggressively attacked, sinking for ships totaling 27,424 tons and damaging an auxiliary vessel of 500 tons. In addition, he performed an important reconnaissance mission. After receiving a near miss from an aircraft bomb on 4 May 1942, he successfully repaired the damage and continued to inflict damage upon the enemy under adverse conditions. His actions and conduct were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Nautilus (SS-168)

    Action Date:

    September 27, 1942
    Board Serial 28 (March 2, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Thomas Wesley Hogan, Jr. (NSN: 0-70149), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Officer-of-the-Deck aboard the U.S.S. NAUTILUS (SS-168), during a successful surface attack by that submarine in enemy Japanese coastal waters on the night of 27 September 1942. In the presence of two anti-submarine vessels and under the fire of large caliber guns from a hostile shore battery, Lieutenant Commander Hogan kept his Commanding Officer informed as to the proximity of all enemy ships and, through his courage and efficiency, contributed to the severe damaging and probable sinking of an 8,748-ton passenger-freighter. Subsequently, when the submarine was forced to dive, he, by his outstanding skill as Diving Officer, enabled the vessel to retire successfully despite shallow water and lack of diving trim due to the expending of torpedoes and ammunition during the attack. His heroic devotion to duty, maintained at great personal risk in the face of grave danger, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bonefish (SS-223)

    Action Date:

    September 22 – October 21, 1943
    Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 001198 (October 15, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Thomas Wesley Hogan, Jr. (NSN: 0-70149), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BONEFISH (SS-223), on the FIRST War Patrol of that submarine from 22 September 1943 to 21 October 1943, in enemy controlled waters of the South China Sea. Taking advantage of every favorable opportunity, Commander Hogan repeatedly maneuvered his vessel into striking position and pressed home persistent attacks against the enemy. Despite vigorous anti-submarine measures, he was successful in sinking five hostile merchant vessels totaling 36,000 tons and in damaging two additional ships totaling 10,000 tons. His superb seamanship and courageous determination were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bonefish (SS-223)

    Action Date:

    November 22 – December 19, 1943
    Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 0589 (March 15, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Thomas Wesley Hogan, Jr. (NSN: 0-70149), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BONEFISH (SS-223), during the SECOND War Patrol of that vessel in enemy-controlled waters during the period 22 November to 19 December 1943. Despite the strain of prolonged undersea operations, Commander Hogan pressed home his relentless attacks with cool courage and aggressive determination, sinking and damaging an important amount of vital hostile shipping. Employing skillful evasive tactics against vigorous anti-submarine measures by enemy air and surface units, he successfully completed his hazardous assignments without damage to his own ship. Commander Hogan’s expert seamanship and valiant devotion to duty under extremely perilous conditions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.