Jonathan Woodville graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1936. He retired as a U.S. Navy Captain.
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Jonathan Woodville graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1936. He retired as a U.S. Navy Captain.
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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Jonathan Leopold W. Woodville, Jr. (NSN: 0-77202), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. ORDRONAUX (DD-617), in action against enemy forces during the amphibious invasion of Southern France, on 15 August 1944. An alert and aggressive leader, Commander Woodville maneuvered his ship through dangerous and restricted waters in close proximity to known enemy minefields and in the face of constant enemy counterfire to deliver concentrated bombardments against hostile shore installations, effectively silencing several enemy strong points and inflicting heavy damage on troop and tank concentrations, thereby contributing materially to the rapid weakening of enemy resistance along the invasion coast and to the early and secure establishment of the Allied beachhead. His outstanding ability and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.