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 Rear Admiral Andrew Carl Bennett, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commandant of the EIGHTH Naval District, from 14 June 1943 to 31 August 1945. Effective coordination and administration of the extensive Naval activities in the large land area of the EIGHTH Naval District required the highest degree of initiative and administrative ability. The degree of efficiency attained in the best traditions of the Naval Service, is a tribute to his resourcefulness, leadership, and unerring judgment, and contributed materially to the successful prosecution of the war.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Cross
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear AdmiralAction Date:
September 23, 1942 – January 1943
War Department, General Orders No. 88 (November 23, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit (Army Award) to Rear Admiral Andrew Carl Bennett, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period 23 September 1942 to January 1943. Rear Admiral Bennett received orders to participate in the Oran landing operations on 23 September 1942, only three weeks prior to the first scheduled sailing date of the assault convoy. Within this extremely brief period, Admiral Bennett organized and trained an advance Base, U.S. Naval Unit, which was attached to the Center Task Force. This was a task which required unremitting effort and the devising of many ingenious shortcuts in order to be ready to embark, fully equipped, in the time allotted. As a result of his foresight and planning, salvage personnel and material were on hand immediately after the landing on 8 November 1942 for the extremely difficult task of clearing the ports of Oran, Mers El Kebir and Arzew. The ort of Oran had been badly sabotaged by the sinking of 26 ships, yet Admiral Bennett and his Navy Port Party, assisted by the Army, soon had all three ports operating at from two to three times their normal peacetime capacities. The organization and development of the port facilities, and the high rate of cargo discharge achieved there, contributed to the success of the operation.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. AL-11Action Date:
World War I
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Andrew Carl Bennett, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession in Command of the AL-11. While en route from Newport to the Azores Lieutenant Commander Bennett’s submarine was separated from the escort and other submarines of the squadron, leaving him without a rendezvous. He thereupon proceeded to his destination successfully, assuming the great responsibility of starting a 1,700-mile Atlantic Ocean run in winter weather in a submarine of the class that had never been considered reliable for service of this character.