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Wogan, Thomas Lincoln

Date of birth:
February 9th, 1909
Date of death:
March 16th, 1951
Buried on:
Arlington National Cemetery
Plot: 3. Grave: 2438-2.
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Commander
Unit:
U.S.S. Besugo (SS-321), U.S. Navy
Awarded on:
February 9th, 1943
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BESUGO (SS-321) during the FIRST War Patrol of that Submarine in Pacific Ocean Waters from 26 September to 5 November 1944. His intelligent planning, cool judgment in the face of imminent danger, and outstanding aggressiveness enabled him to conduct alert and thorough searches. By daring and aggressive attacks, as Commanding Officer, he obtained a hit on an enemy vessel. He also sank and damaged enemy shipping of 1,000 tons. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 01149
Silver Star Medal (SSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Commander
Unit:
U.S.S. Besugo (SS-321), U.S. Navy
Awarded on:
June 13th, 1945
Silver Star Medal (SSM)
"For gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BESUGO (SS-321) during the THIRD War Patrol of that Submarine in the South China Sea from 24 December 1944 to 15 February 1945. He also led as OTC a very successful Coordinated Search and Attack Group consisting of from two to seven submarines. Three successful attacks were consummated by the BESUGO in which she sank one destroyer and one large tanker and damaged another. On the night of 6 January 1945 a tanker was sunk, and on 24 January, while being severely attacked by depth charges the BESUGO damaged another enemy tanker. In the last attack the BESUGO successfully attacked a destroyer while underfoot of another. His service and conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 03522 (Awarded as Gold Star on the ribbon of the first medal)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Commander
Unit:
U.S.S. Besugo (SS-321), U.S. Navy
Awarded on:
September 29th, 1945
Silver Star Medal (SSM)
"For gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BESUGO (SS-321) during the SECOND War Patrol of that Submarine in the South China Sea and in Linapaca Strait from 10 November to 4 December 1944. He courageously and skillfully led his ship in a series of attacks upon enemy shipping which resulted in the sinking of a valuable enemy tanker and a large barge, totaling 8,000 tons and in the damaging of a large freighter of 7,500 tons. These attacks were characterized by unusual determination and aggressiveness in that he led his submarine under the very nose of the enemy in the extremely shallow and dangerous water which the enemy considered quite free from attack by our submarines. Bound to destroy the enemy, he completed a surface attack, even in broad daylight, knowing full well that he could not submerge. The audacity, skill and daring of these attacks has earned for him the respect and admiration of all submarine personnel. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 0187 (Awarded as second Gold Star on the ribbon of the first medal)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Commander
Unit:
U.S.S. Tarpon (SS-175), U.S. Navy
"For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. TARPON (SS-175), during the SIXTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 10 January 1943 to 25 February 1943, in waters in the area of Sea of Japan. Despite determined enemy opposition he succeeded in sinking one freighter and one transport for a total of 21,000 tons. Despite the counter efforts of enemy anti-submarine vessels and aircraft he handled his boat in such an expert manner that he brought his crew home without injury. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 34
Navy Cross

Sources