Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Commander

Unit:

U.S.S. Strong (DD-467), U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

May 16th, 1943

"For extraordinary heroism in actual conflict with the enemy and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. STRONG (DD-467), while screening a cruiser Task Force in the vicinity of San Cristobal Island, Solomon Islands, on the night of 7 April 1943. The STRONG made contact during darkness on a possible enemy vessel on the surface in a position to attack the cruiser force with the STRONG was screening as well as numerous other vessels loaded with troops and supplies which were in the immediate vicinity. Commander Wellings made a skillful and apparently undetected approach in complete darkness to within less than one thousand yards of a large Japanese submarine on the surface. By a well-coordinated attack with guns and depth charges he then sank the submarine without injury to his ship or crew. His efficient leadership and skillful and aggressive action were in accord with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Commander South Pacific: Serial 00791

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

U.S.S. Strong (DD-467), U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

July 19th, 1943

"For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. STRONG (DD-467), while screening a cruiser Task Force and bombarding enemy shore batteries and installations on Kolombangara and New Georgia Islands, Solomon Islands, on the night of 4 - 5 July 1943. Commander Welling maneuvered his ship through restricted submarine-infested waters, effectively bombarding enemy shore batteries and installations. In the face of intense enemy resistance, he continued to force heavy fire into Japanese opposition until the STRONG was struck by a torpedo. Calmly and efficiently, Commander Wellings directed the abandonment of his sinking ship, remaining aboard as she went down. The explosion of her depth charges threw him, seriously injured, into the sea, and several hours later he was rescued. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service."

Commander South Pacific Area and Force: Serial 001281

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

U.S.S. Strong (DD-467), U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

1943

"For meritorious achievement as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Strong, operating as a Unit of a Task Force during combined minelaying expeditions and bombardment missions in the enemy Japanese-held Kolombangara and New Georgia Areas, Solon Islands the nights of May 7 and 13, 1943. Skillfully maneuvering through poorly-charted waters under cover of darkness, Captain (then Commander) Wellings carried out his assigned duties courageously and with unwavering determination, delivering his devastating bombardments against these heavily-fortified strongholds and successfully mining areas used extensively by Japanese surface forces, subsequently bringing his ship through without damage following each decisive action. By his brilliant and inspiring leadership, expert ship-handling and constant devotion to the completion of these extremely perilous assignments, Captain Wellings contributed immeasurably to the success of our sustained operations against the enemy in a vital theater of war and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."