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Seligman, Morton Tinslar

    Date of birth:
    July 1st, 1895 (Salt Lake City/Utah, United States)
    Date of death:
    July 9th, 1967 (Naval Hospital Balboa-San Diego/California, United States)
    Buried on:
    Santa Fe National Cemetery
    Plot: U. Grave: 409.
    Service number:
    0-34590
    Nationality:
    American

    Biography

    Morton T. Seligman received his first Navy Cross at the end of the First World War. although he received a second Navy Cross for his part in the Battle of the Coral Sea, he was held responsible for leaking confidential information. Eventually he was forced to retire in 1944.

    Promotions:
    ?: Midshipsman;
    ?: Lieutenant (junior grade);
    December 19th, 1922: Lieutenant;
    1933: Lieutenant-Commander;
    ?: Commander;
    ?: Captain.

    Career:
    june 13th, 1914 - 1919: U.S. Naval Academy;
    ?: Commanding Officer U.S.S. C-272;
    ?: Observation Plane Squadron 2, U.S.S. Aroostook, Battle Fleet;
    ?: Naval Air Station, Naval Yard, Pearl Harbor;
    ?: VF-6B, Aircraft Squads, Battle Fleet, U.S.S. Langley;
    ?: Plans Division, Bureau Aeronautics, Navy Department, Washington, D C;
    1933: Executive Officer VF-1B, U.S.S. Saratoga;
    1933 - 1934: Commanding Officer VF-1B, U.S.S. Saratoga;
    ?: Commanding Officer Carrier Air Group, U.S.S. Ranger;
    December 7th, 1941: Executive Officer, U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2);
    1944: Retirement.

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    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Rank:
    Lieutenant (junior grade)
    Unit:
    U.S.S. C-272, U.S. Navy
    "For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. C-272, engaged in the important and hazardous duty of sweeping for and removing the mines of the North Sea Barrage during World War I."
    Navy Cross
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Commander
    Unit:
    Executive Officer, U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2), U.S. Navy
    Awarded on:
    June 29th, 1942
    Navy Cross
    Citation:
    "For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of this profession as Executive Officer of the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action on 7 and 8 May 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea. During and after that battle Commander Morton directed the damage control and fire fighting parties, inspecting and visiting all critical parts of the ship. He personally assisted in removing all the wounded in many places. His distinguished leadership and timely decisions contributed greatly to the success of our forces and was largely responsible for the small loss of life that occurred when the ship was abandoned. Commander Seligman's conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States."

    Second Navy Cross awarded in the form of a golden star to be worn on the ribbon of the first Navy Cross.
    Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 2828 (June 29, 1942).
    Presented on September 15th, 1942.

    Sources

    Photo