
Caption | Bruce McCandless receiving the Medal of Honor from Ernest King aboard USS San Francisco, 12 Dec 1942 in San Francisco, California, United States. The medal was for night actions off Savo Island, Solomons, 12 Nov 1942. ww2dbase | |||||||||||
Source | ww2dbaseUnited States Navy | |||||||||||
Identification Code | 80-G-31578 | |||||||||||
More on... |
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Photos on Same Day | 12 Dec 1942 | |||||||||||
Photos at Same Place | San Francisco, California, United States | |||||||||||
Added By | David Stubblebine | |||||||||||
Added Date | 1 Nov 2016 | |||||||||||
This photograph has been scaled down; full resolution photograph is available here (1,188 by 951 pixels). | ||||||||||||
Licensing | Public Domain. According to the United States copyright law (United States Code, Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105), in part, "[c]opyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the United States Government". |
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15 Oct 2016 10:30:04 PM
Lt Cmdr McCandless’ Medal of Honor citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and exceptionally distinguished service above and beyond the call of duty as communication officer of the U.S.S. San Francisco in combat with enemy Japanese forces in the battle off Savo Island, 12–13 November 1942. In the midst of a violent night engagement, the fire of a determined and desperate enemy seriously wounded Lt. Comdr. McCandless and rendered him unconscious, killed or wounded the admiral in command, his staff, the captain of the ship, the navigator, and all other personnel on the navigating and signal bridges. Faced with the lack of superior command upon his recovery, and displaying superb initiative, he promptly assumed command of the ship and ordered her course and gunfire against an overwhelmingly powerful force. With his superiors in other vessels unaware of the loss of their admiral, and challenged by his great responsibility, Lt. Comdr. McCandless boldly continued to engage the enemy and to lead our column of following vessels to a great victory. Largely through his brilliant seamanship and great courage, the San Francisco was brought back to port, saved to fight again in the service of her country.