The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander James Theodore Brewer, United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Gunnery Officer on board the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. SALT LAKE CITY (CA-25), during the battle off the Komandorski Islands on 26 March 1943. While his ship fought a vigorous engagement for two and one-half hours with a hostile force twice the size of his own task group, Commander Brewer remained exposed to intense gunfire from two Japanese heavy cruisers and coolly directed the fire of his batteries. Although fifty percent of his department’s personnel were experiencing their first battle, Commander Brewer so skillfully organized his crew and displayed such courageous leadership in combat that he and his men were able to inflict severe damage on enemy vessels. His unswerving devotion to duty, maintained under extremely hazardous circumstances with utter disregard for his own safety, provided a constant source of inspiration to his men and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Captain [then Commander]Division:
U.S.S. Salt Lake City (CA-25)Action Date:
October 11 – 12, 1942
Commander Battler Cruisers Pacific Fleet: Serial 165 (January 29, 1945)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 Captain [then Commander] James Theodore Brewer (NSN: 0-60317), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Gunnery Officer of the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. SALT LAKE CITY (CA-25), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet during the Battle of Cape Esperance on the night of 11 – 12 October 1942. Charged with the direction and control of the fire of the SALT LAKE CITY, Captain Brewer obtained immediate hits on enemy vessels from the beginning of the engagement. Remaining steadfast in an exposed and isolated battle station as the action progressed, he continued firing until all enemy vessels were sunk, disabled or had fled under cover of smoke and darkness. Ordering a change in targets during the closing moments of the engagement, he brought fire to bear on an enemy heavy cruiser which was in the act of destroying the U.S.S. BOISE and, by his cool and deliberate control of fire, played an important part in sinking the hostile warship and in saving the BOISE from destruction. His courageous leadership, presence of mind in the face of hits scored on his vessel and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
U.S.S. Salt Lake City (CA-25)Action Date:
February 1941 – March 1945
Commander Cruisers Pacific Fleet: Serial 0812 (September 13, 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain James Theodore Brewer (NSN: 0-60317), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States successively as Assistant Gunnery and Air Defense Officer, Gunner Officer, and Executive Officer of the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. SALT LAKE CITY (CA-25), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the major campaigns of the Pacific from February 1941 to March 1945. Serving with distinctive and forceful leadership in his various assigned duties throughout this long period of action, Captain Brewer rendered valuable assistance in developing and maintaining the high state of combat readiness and efficiency which enabled the SALT LAKE CITY to carry out effectively vital escort, bombardment and fire-support missions and inflict extensive damage on the enemy in the face of repeated hostile attacks. By his professional skill, courage and gallant devotion to duty, Captain Brewer contributed directly to the success of operations in which his ship participated, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Brewer is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Captain [then Commander]Division:
U.S.S. Salt Lake City (CA-25)Action Date:
September 5, 1943 – November 5, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Captain [then Commander] James Theodore Brewer (NSN: 0-60317), United States Navy, for meritorious service as Gunnery Officer from 5 September 1943 to 21 December 1943, and as Executive Officer from 21 December 1943 to 5 November 1944, while attached to the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. SALT LAKE CITY (CA-25). As Gunnery Officer his excellent professional knowledge and judgment and his thorough training and indoctrination of all men and officers in the Gunnery Department of the U.S.S. SALT LAKE CITY was of the greatest assistance to the Commanding Officer during the bombardment of Tarawa in the Gilberts on 13 November 1943, the defense of the U.S.S. SALT LAKE CITY and other ships of its Task Group during air attacks on 20 November 1943, while engaged in covering the landing at Tarawa. As Executive Officer of the U.S.S. SALT LAKE CITY his exceptional administrative and leadership ability was unstintingly utilized to assist the Commanding Officer in maintaining an extremely high morale and state of training in the ship, with the results evident in the excellent teamwork of all departments in the ship and consequent thorough readiness at all times to carry out successfully every combat mission assigned the U.S.S. SALT LAKE CITY. During the period covered in this citation the U.S.S. SALT LAKE CITY participated in the bombardment of and occupation of Tarawa in the Gilberts; the protection of forces occupying Apamama; the defense of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands; the neutralization of Wotje and Taroa in the Marshalls, 23 January 1944 to 19 February 1944, the raid on the Palau Islands; as a unit of the NINTH Fleet in Aleutian waters; a bombardment raid on Wake Island, 3 September 1944; the attack on Marcus Island, 9 October 1944; and as a unit of the THIRD Fleet from 13 October to 30 October 1944, during the Philippine Occupation.