Henry J. Armstrong

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Henry J. Armstrong, 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. SPENCE (DD-512), during a night surface engagement with a Japanese Task Force on the night of 24 -25 November 1943, at Cape St. George during the Battle of Empress August Bay. In this engagement five ships of Destroyer Squadron TWENTY-THREE (Desron 23), of which the U.S.S. SPENCE was a unit, sank four Japanese ships, seriously damaged another and damaged a sixth before she escaped without loss or damage to our own ships. Commander Armstrong fought his ship with gallant determination and remarkable courage and by his cool aggressive spirit in seeking out and fearlessly engaging a powerful foe of the Japanese Force. His remarkable calmness under fire and reckless disregard of his personal safety in pressing home the attack against the enemy was an inspiration to his brave crew and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Henry J. Armstrong, 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. SPENCE (DD-512), during a night surface engagement with a larger Japanese Task Force on the night of 1 – 2 November 1943, at Empress Augusta Bay, off Bougainville, Solomon Islands. During this period the Task Force, of which the U.S.S. SPENCE was a unit, destroyed two Japanese cruisers and three Japanese destroyers and forced the remainder of the Japanese forces to flee, thereby preventing the Japanese Task Force from reaching our transports in the vicinity and materially contributing to the successful establishment of our beachhead on Bougainville Islands. By his fearlessness, calmness and gallant determination on the exposed bridge of his ship Commander Armstrong set an example of conduct under stress of battle that was an inspiration to his men. His relentless fighting spirit and courageous devotion to duty, maintained at great risk in the face of grave danger throughout the three- hour battle was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, Southern Pacific Forces: Serial 00162 (January 14, 1944)