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Gehres, Leslie Edward

Date of birth:
September 23rd, 1898 (Newark/New York, United States)
Date of death:
May 15th, 1975 (San Diego/California, United States)
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

Leslie Edward Gehres was born on September 23rd, 1898 as son to Charles Peter Gehres and Phoebe Ann Gehres.

Promotions:
May 24th, 1918: Ensign;
August 30th, 1927: Naval Aviator;
?: Captain;
?: Rear Admiral.

Career:
?: Western High School, Rochester, New York;
?: Union High School, Newark, New York;
1914: 3rd Battalion, 6th Division, New York Naval Militia;
?: USS Salem (CL-3);
?: USS Massachusetts (BB-2);
?: USS Indiana (BB-1);
?: Fourth Reserve Officers Class, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland;
September 1918 - June 1919: USS North Dakota (BB-29);
?: USS Tingey (DD-272);
?: USS Gilles (DD-260);
?: USS Aulick (DD-258);
?: USS Jacob Jones (DD-130);
June 1924: Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii;
November 1926: Naval Air Station,San Diego;
?: Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida;
November 1st, 1941: Commanding Officer Patrol Wing 4;
November 7th, 1944 - June 30th, 1945: Commanding Officer USS Franklin (CV-13);
1948: Retirement;
1948: Ryan Aeronautical Company;
?: General manager, National Marine Terminal Company.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Captain
Unit:
U.S.S. Franklin (CV-13), U.S. Navy
Awarded on:
August 1945
Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. FRANKLIN (CV-13), which was striking the Japanese home islands in the vicinity of Kobe, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Captain Gehres' ship was struck by enemy bombs which caused tremendous fires and explosions among a large number of fully armed and fueled planes both on the flight deck and in the hangar. Although handicapped by severe damage to his ship's fire-fighting equipment and communications system, Captain Gehres displayed outstanding resourcefulness in directing the measures which eventually brought the fires under control, got power back to his ship, and enabled her to be withdrawn from a position close aboard a hostile coast. The conduct of Captain Gehres throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 341 (August 1945)
Navy Cross
Navy Aviator Wing
Legion of Merit - US Military

Second LoM awarded in the form of a gold star to be placed on the ribbon of the first LoM.
Legion of Merit - US Military
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (NMCCOM)
Purple Heart
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded with "ESCORT" clasp.
World War I Victory Medal

Awarded with "FLEET" clasp.
American Defence Service Medal
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded with three bronze campaign stars.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

Sources

Photos