The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant William Hiram House (NSN: 0-85268), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FOURTEEN (VT-14), attached to the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), in action on 26 October 1944, while deployed over the Sibuyan Sea during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands. Lieutenant House led a flight of eight carrier-based torpedo planes in a successful strike against a powerful force of Japanese battleships, cruisers, and destroyers. In spite of the extremely intense anti-aircraft fire from the disposition, he pressed home his attack to a minimum range and scored a torpedo hit on a very large enemy battleship. His foresight and leadership in planning the attack were such that no planes in his flight were lost in the action. His courage and skill were at all times inspiring and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 15/PD-2652 (August 9, 1966)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain William Hiram House (NSN: 0-85268), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff for Commander Carrier Division NINE from 2 July 1965 to 15 January 1966. During this period, Commander Carrier Division NINE was charged with the responsibility of conducting extensive and complex air operations in support of United States national policy in Southeast Asia. As Chief of Staff in this critically complex environment, Captain House was directly responsible for the supervision and coordination of all staff functions, including the formulation of operating procedures, development of new techniques, and the coordination and control of all assigned forces. His strong and forceful leadership inspired industry and enthusiasm in his subordinates and resulted in an effective and dedicated staff, ensuring a prompt and well-prepared response to the urgent requirements levied on this group. Captain House’s strong sense of personal responsibility and inspiring devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear AdmiralAction Date:
November 1967 – January 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral William Hiram House (NSN: 0-85268), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Vietnam, and Deputy Chief, Naval Advisory Group, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, from November 1967 through January 1969. Greatly assisting the Commander in bearing the tremendous burden of command responsibility germane to directing aggressive naval operations against enemy forces, Rear Admiral House played a major role in the administration and operation of naval forces along the coast and on the rivers and canals of the Republic of Vietnam, bringing forces to bear which successfully interdicted enemy attempts to infiltrate men, weapons, munitions, and combat-essential supplies into South Vietnam. His many contributions to the advisory effort in support of the Vietnamese Navy and Marine Corps greatly improved the tactical deployment, logistical and administrative support, and general development of their combat forces. Rear Admiral House responded magnificently in providing confident and inspiring leadership in countering and repelling enemy attacks during the upsurge of enemy activity incident to the Tet Offensive in early 1968. Serving as First Sea Lord for Operation SEA LORDS from November 1968 through January 1969, Rear Admiral House fashioned new concepts, devised new tactics, and ensured a high level of logistical and tactical air support for naval and ground forces which interdicted and destroyed enemy manpower and supplies in the vital Mekong Delta area. His tremendous achievements as First Sea Lord were culminated by the establishment of powerful, overwhelming naval forces on the rivers, canals, and lesser waterways of the lower half of the Republic of Vietnam. By his exemplary initiative, profound sense of responsibility, outstanding professionalism, and inspiring devotion to duty, Rear Admiral House contributed significantly to the United States efforts in the Republic of Vietnam, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantBatallion:
Torpedo Squadron 14 (VT-14)Division:
U.S.S. Wasp (CV-18)Action Date:
September 21, 1944
Commander 2d Carrier Task Force: Serial 0211 (November 9, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant William Hiram House (NSN: 0-85268), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while leading a flight of carrier-based torpedo planes in a successful attack upon enemy shipping in the vicinity of Manila Bay, on 21 September 1944. Under his successful leadership, the aircraft in his flight sank three ships and damaged two others without suffering any losses in the action. He pressed home his own attack to close range in the face of formidable airborne opposition and intense anti-aircraft fire and scored a torpedo hit on a large enemy tanker which contributed heavily to its sinking. His courage and disregard for his own safety were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant William Hiram House (NSN: 0-85268), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemy forces on 20 June 1944 in the Philippine Sea. He led a flight of seven carrier-based torpedo planes in a successful attack on six Japanese fleet tankers, thereby striking a crippling blow at the enemy. In spite of the presence of enemy fighters and intense anti-aircraft fire, he pressed home his bombing and strafing attack to a minimum altitude and caused serious damage to a large fleet tanker. He also heavily strafed an enemy destroyer. His foresight and leadership were such that no planes of his flight were destroyed or damaged by enemy action. His skill and airmanship enabled him to pilot his plane safely to a friendly carrier in spite of darkness and the extreme distance to be covered. His courage and skill were at all times inspiring and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain William Hiram House (NSN: 0-85268), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff for Commander FIRST Fleet from August 1966 to November 1967. As a result of his dynamic leadership and outstanding executive ability, Captain House was a major factor in the effective operation of the FIRST Fleet and in the achievement of a high degree of operational readiness of units of the Fleet, thereby contributing directly to the combat effectiveness of forces deploying to Southeast Asia. Through his comprehensive knowledge of operating techniques in a sophisticated task force environment, and skillful coordination of the manifold facets of training and readiness, he planned and directed eight major Fleet exercises to the end that all participating units achieved a very high degree of operational readiness prior to deployment to the Western Pacific. Captain House’s versatility and breadth of professional knowledge were a significant factor in the highly successful planning and execution of Exercise BASE LINE II, conducted in October 1966. In addition, under his guidance and expertise, he was directly responsible for significant improvements in communications, electronic warfare, anti-air warfare, and multi-ship NTDS and non-NTDS ship operations. With resourceful planning, and deep and meticulous professional knowledge of complex fleet operational problems, Captain House directed the efforts of the Staff into a thoroughly integrated, harmonious team capable of prompt and meticulously-staffed action in response to new and urgent requirements imposed on the Fleet Commander. Despite the severe demands of both time and effort, his selfless dedication to duty, outstanding professional knowledge, inspiring leadership and loyal devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Board Serial 00134 (September 28, 1970)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral William Hiram House (NSN: 0-85268), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from March 1969 to April 1970 as Commander Carrier Division FOUR in the U.S. Atlantic and SIXTH Fleets. During this period, Rear Admiral House displayed outstanding professional competence and resourcefulness in carrying out his responsibilities. He made major contributions to fleet readiness by his dynamic supervision of pilot training and his thorough preparations for aircraft carrier deployment. In his role as Commander Task Force SIXTY during the period December 1969 to April 1970, Rear Admiral House very capably and efficiently directed the personnel and material resources of his command, resulting in new tactical and strategic naval concepts of inestimable value to national and North Atlantic Treaty Organization interests. His development of new tactics and techniques for task force operations, anti-submarine warfare, and targeting, along with his skillful planning and execution of fleet exercises, his maintenance of fleet readiness, and his consummate leadership skills, resulted in an exceptionally trained and directed combat-ready task force. By his superior professional performance, keen foresight, ingenuity, and dedication, Rear Admiral House reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.