Lewis E. Coley
Born: October 2, 1899 at Alexander City, Alabama
Home Town: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Navy Cross
World War II
U.S. Navy
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lewis E. Coley, 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. ALDEN (DD-211), in a torpedo attack against superior enemy Japanese forces in the Java Sea on 27 February 1942. Skillfully maneuvering his ship, torpedo hits were scored on Japanese cruisers in the face of heavy gunfire from the enemy, marking a courageous and determined handling of his ship. Lieutenant Commander Coley’s aggressive spirit and high type of leadership in action are in accord with the best traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 307 (October 1942)