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USS Pirate; Presidential Unit Citation

Related Documents: USS Pirate; Loss of

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON

 

           The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the

 

U.S.S. PIRATE (AM 275)

(Including Commander Mine Division THIRTY TWO and Staff serving in the PIRATE.)

 

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

                     "For outstanding performance in action as a minesweeping unit during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 11 and 12 October 1950. Operating as a part of Task Element 95.62, the U.S.S. PIRATE assisted in the extremely hazardous and difficult task of sweeping and buoying a channel, 2,000 yards wide and 14 miles in length, to the outer limits of Wonsan Harbor, during which time heavy concentrations of enemy contact mines were swept in the face of the ever-present threat of mine explosions and attack from hidden hostile gun batteries on the beaches and surrounding islands. On 12 October, after leading the assault formation in a dual role of Flaghip for Commander Mine Division THIRTY-TWO and minesweeper in the clearance of a channel through two heavy contact-type minefields, the PIRATE encountered a third field of extreme density, struck a mine and sank in approximately four minutes with casualties numbered at six killed and forty-three wounded. During rescue operations, her survivors were repeatedly fired upon by enemy shore batteries and machine guns. The fortitude, superb teamwork and unrelenting determination of each individual serving on board the PIRATE were contributing factors in the success of vital minesweeping operations and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

 

For the President,

C. S. Thomas
Secretary of the Navy

 

Source: Presidential Citation Letter from Secretary of the Navy C. S. Thomas, USS Pirate File, Box 474, Ships History Division, Naval Historical Center, Washington, DC.

Published: Thu Apr 17 17:38:24 EDT 2014