Hamilton Wilcox Howe

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Hamilton Wilcox Howe, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. ROPER (DD-147, when his ship made a successful attack upon the German submarine U-85 in the waters of the Atlantic on the night of 13 – 14 April 1942. Lieutenant Commander Howe with an offensive singleness of purpose tracked, attacked and completely destroyed the German U-85 off the Coast of Virginia, without injury to his vessel or its personnel. Lieutenant Commander Howe’s inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of this successful mission and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 304 (July 1942)