The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Andrew Robert Mack (NSN: 0-10807), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. ERIE (PG-50) following the torpedoing of that vessel by an enemy submarine on 12 November 1942. When the explosion ruptured a fuel tank and flames quickly spread to the port side of the ship, Captain Mack, although most of the officers in damage control and fire-fighting were lost or overboard, kept the vessel in motion under auxiliary power, despite the fact that she was well down by the stern and listing heavily to starboard. With her superstructure ablaze and the ammunition in her ready rooms exploding continuously, the ERIE, while her crew fought valiantly above and below deck to save her from destruction, crept slowly between two jutting coral reefs and beached herself about a hundred yards off shore. By his skillful leadership and inspiring devotion to duty, Captain Mack was largely responsible for the salvage of the vessel and maintenance of watertight integrity until she could be floated and towed to port. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Andrew Robert Mack (NSN: 0-10807), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Prospective Commanding Officer and later as Commanding Officer of an advanced naval base sectional drydock in the South Pacific area from 10 May 1943 to 15 June 1944. Captain Mack displayed exceptional judgment and outstanding professional skill throughout the construction and operation of the largest floating drydock of its type in the world. He assisted materially in planning its design and many valuable features are due directly to his sound recommendations. He efficiently directed the towing of the drydock from the United States to an advanced base in the South Pacific Area and was responsible for all details of this movement, including the intricate arrangement of the towing gear and the assembly of the vast amount of material and equipment required for the operation. After arrival at the designated base, he exhibited excellent engineering ability in setting up the drydock, solving innumerable problems and overcoming many difficulties. He supervised the repair of a large number of vessels, many of which were returned to unrestricted service in an expeditious manner or were repaired sufficiently to permit their safe return to the United States for further repair. His tireless efforts and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.