Fletcher Class
General Information
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Presidential Unit Citations
USS Bennion
USS Cowell
USS Evans
USS Nicholas
USS O’Bannon
USS Radford
USS Wadsworth
DesRon 23
Taffy 3
Unit Commendations
The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy—in the name of the President of the United States—to any ship, aircraft or naval unit, or any Marine Corps aircraft, detachment or higher unit, for outstanding performance in action against an armed enemy of the United States on or after 7 December 1941. It was authorized by Executive Order 9050, 6 February 1942.*

Sixteen Fletcher-class destroyers received the Presidential Unit Citation for action in World War Two. Click on the links below to view the text of each citation:

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

USS Bennion (DD 662) USS Cowell (DD 547) USS Evans (DD 552) USS Nicholas (DD 449)
USS O'Bannon (DD 450) USS Radford (DD 446) USS Wadsworth (DD 516)

WITH DESTROYER SQUADRON 23 IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

USS Charles Ausburne (DD 570) USS Claxton (DD 571) USS Converse (DD 509) USS Dyson (DD 572)
USS Spence (DD 512) USS Stanly (DD 478)

WITH TAFFY 3 AT THE BATTLE OFF SAMAR

USS Heermann (DD 532) USS Hoel (DD 533) USS Johnston (DD 557)

 

* Source: Summary of Regulations Governing the Issuance and Wearing of Decorations, Medals and Ribbons Now Designated for Naval Personnel, March 1943, courtesy, John Reilly, Naval Historical Foundation.