Latta, De Vere, Frank

Date of birth:: January 10th, 1909 (Indianapolis/Indiana, United States)
Date of death:: May 4th, 1945 (Off Malay Coast, Gulf of Siam)
Nationality:: American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

Service Number 0-071545, commanding officer of USS Lagarto (SS-371). Sunk by depth charge attack near the Malaysian coast, in or near to the Gulf of Siam.

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Navy Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Commander
Unit:: USS Lagarto (SS-371)
Awarded on:: April 1945

Citation:
"The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Frank DeVere Latta, Commander, U.S. Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. NARWAHL (SS-167), on SIX successive War Patrols of that submarine during the period 30 April 1943 to 7 February 1944, in enemy controlled waters of Pacific War Zone. Applying himself with keen foresight and unwavering attention to detail, Commander Latta assisted materially in planning a series of extremely hazardous missions and later carried out each difficult assignment with outstanding success. During these patrols, he maneuvered his vessel for maximum striking power and succeeded in sinking an important amount of vital hostile shipping. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 337, April 1945.