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Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Ross Ainsworth Dierdorff, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of a task unit and Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. ELIZABETH C. STANTON during the Invasion of Italy in 1944. By his training, planning and exemplary performance under fire he enabled the troops and supplies of his task unit to be landed promptly. Throughout a critical period he gallantly fought his ship, accomplished his mission and withdrew his unit with minimum casualties to personnel.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Division:

    U.S.S. Shaw

    Action Date:

    October 9, 1918

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Ross Ainsworth Dierdorff, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism on the occasion of the collision between the U.S.S. SHAW and the H.M.S. AQUITANIA on 9 October 1918, when the SHAW was cut in two and set on fire. Ensign Dierdorff, of the SHAW, with other officers and enlisted men, threw overboard a large quantity of 4-inch ammunition which was on deck only a few feet from a blazing oil tank, and this while the ammunition near them was already exploding. This heroic action saved the ship from complete destruction and made it possible for her to proceed to port under her own steam in spite of the loss of her bow.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    July 1943
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 325 (April 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Ross Ainsworth Dierdorff, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in July 1943. As Commander of a Task Group and a naval transport during the invasion of Sicily, Captain Dierdorff was instrumental in landing and establishing a reinforced combat team in spite of desperate resistance. His sound judgment, planning and courageous leadership under fire contributed materially to the success of the operations.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 334 (January 1945)

    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 Captain Ross Ainsworth Dierdorff, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of a beach assault group during the invasion of Southern France in 1944. Captain Dierdorff led a convoy from mounting ports safely to the designated area and landed the troops, their equipment and supplies expeditiously. Upon completion of unloading activities, the ships under his command sailed promptly to base ports for reloading.