About the Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest medal that can be awarded by the Department of the Navy and the second highest award given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard but could be awarded to all branches of United States military as well as members of foreign militaries. It was established by Act of Congress (Pub.L. 65-253) and approved on February 4, 1919. The Navy Cross is equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross (Army) and the Air Force Cross.
The Navy Cross may be awarded to any member of the armed forces while serving with the Marine Corps, Navy, or Coast Guard (in time of war only) who distinguishes himself in action by extraordinary heroism not justifying an award of the Medal of Honor. The action must take place under one of three circumstances:
1. While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States
2. While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force
3. While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
To earn a Navy Cross the act to be commended must be performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk and must be performed in such a manner as to render the individual highly conspicuous among others of equal grade, rate, experience, or position of responsibility. An accumulation of minor acts of heroism does not justify an award of the Navy Cross. As originally authorized, the Navy Cross could be awarded for distinguished non-combat acts, but legislation of August 7, 1942 limited the award to acts of combat heroism.
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Submitted by Richard Worthy
Richard Wayne Suesens
Born 30 April 1915; Burlington, Iowa
Missing in Action 4 June 1942
Posthumously Awarded the Navy Cross per Bureau of Naval
Personnel Information Bulletin No. 309 (December 1942)
Citation: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Richard Wayne Suesens (0-081622), Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron THREE (VT-3), embarked from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. Participating in a Torpedo Plane assault against Japanese naval units, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Suesens, in the face of tremendous anti-aircraft fire and overwhelming fighter opposition, pressed home his attack to a point where it became relatively certain that, in order to accomplish his mission, he would probably sacrifice his life. Undeterred by the grave possibilities of such a hazardous offensive, he carried on, with extreme disregard for his own personal safety, until his squadron scored direct hits on two enemy aircraft carriers. His self sacrificing gallantry and fortitude were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. The USS Richard Wayne Suesens (DE-342) was named after the lieutenant.
Frank DeVere Latta
Born 10 January 1909; Indianapolis, Indiana
Missing In Action 4 May 1945 (Almost 60 years since Frank and the submarine he commanded [USS Lagarto] was lost, a team of deep-sea divers discovered the submarine 93 miles southeast of Thailand, intact and sitting upright 200 feet below sea level.)
Awarded Navy Cross per Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 337 (April 1945)
Citation: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Frank DeVere Latta, Commander, U.S. Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. NARWAHL (SS-167), on SIX successive War Patrols of that submarine during the period 30 April 1943 to 7 February 1944, in enemy controlled waters of Pacific War Zone. Applying himself with keen foresight and unwavering attention to detail, Commander Latta assisted materially in planning a series of extremely hazardous missions and later carried out each difficult assignment with outstanding success. During these patrols, he maneuvered his vessel for maximum striking power and succeeded in sinking an important amount of vital hostile shipping. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Kenneth George Hippe
Born 2 January 1918; Burlington, Iowa
Died 23 September 2004; Albuquerque, New Mexico
Buried at Section 6, Site 2338 in Santa Fe National Cemetery; Santa Fe, New Mexico
Synopsis of Citation: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Kenneth George Hippe, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane in Composite Squadron THREE (VC-3), embarked from the U.S.S. KALININ BAY (CVE-68), and deployed over Samar in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands on 25 October 1944. Lieutenant Hippe's outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Obituary: Kenneth George Hippe passed away peacefully at home in Albuquerque on September 23, 2004. He was born in Burlington, Iowa on January 2, 1918, the son of George and Eda Hippe of Peoria, Illinois. Ken was a 1936 graduate of Peoria High School and a 1942 graduate of Bradley University. He enlisted in the Navy Reserve in 1939 and retired as a Captain in 1965. He proudly served in the Pacific Theater during World War II for which he was awarded a Navy Cross, two Distinguished FC's, and four air medals. He was an "Ace in a Day" for his part in the Battle over Leyte Gulf on October 24, 1944. In 1945 he married Nell Clayton who predeceased him in 1999. Also in 1945 he joined Trans World Airlines and flew commercially for 32 years until his retirement in 1978. Ken and Nell retired to Albuquerque in 1978. Ken is survived by his 4 daughters and their spouses: Jane and Russ Reilly of Middlebury, Vermont, Barbara and Keith Mansfield of Bend, Oregon, Patti and Randy White of Albuquerque, and Pam Hippe and Paul Hendershott of Boulder, Colorado; by his ten grandchildren, Jennifer Lukela, Jody Soja, and Lindsay Reilly, Morgan, Lillie, and Clayton Mansfield, Kate and Justin White, Melissa and Brad Hendershott; by great grandson, Henry Lukela; and by his special friend and companion, Nancy Rose. Ken was predeceased by sisters Janet, Julia, and by brothers Glenn and Leonard. Until his death, Ken volunteered 22 years at the Veteran's Hospital. Those friends wishing to celebrate Ken's life may join the family at a Memorial service to be held October 2, 2004 at 2p.m. at All Saint's Lutheran Church at Coors and Paseo NW. In lieu of flowers, friends may make a memorial contribution to Zia Hospice, 4141 Montgomery NE, 87109.
Eugene R. Hanson
Born 16 May 1917; Burlington, Iowa
Two citations, the second one awarded per Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 315 (June 1943)
Synopsis of First Citation: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Eugene R. Hanson, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier- based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), embarked from the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Eastern Solomon Islands on 24 August 1942. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Second Citation: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Eugene R. Hanson, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), embarked from the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands during the period 16 September 1942 through 23 October 1942. On 16 September, as part of a group which launched an attack against hostile surface units off Gizo Island, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hanson contributed to the scoring of a torpedo hit on a Japanese cruiser. On 24 September, in company with two dive bombers, he participated in a raid against enemy destroyers which were putting troops ashore at Cape Esperance and scored one probable hit with a 500-pound bomb. On 10 October he piloted a Torpedo Plane in a striking force against two light cruisers and four destroyers about 170 miles off Guadalcanal. On 12 October, while attacking two heavy cruisers, he scored a direct hit on one of the enemy vessels. During a night attack on 23 October, he released twelve 100-pound bombs on Japanese troop concentrations to the west of our lines on Guadalcanal. Shot down by enemy gunfire during this engagement, he effected a successful crash-landing about one mile off shore, thus enabling himself and his crew to swim to a point beyond our front lines. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hanson's outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
[If you know of other Des Moines county recipients of the DSC, please send in their names and whatever information you have about them for posting on this page.]
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