THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON The President of the United States takes pleasure in commending the U.S.S. NEWCOMB for service as follows:

“For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Saipan-Tinian operations, May 29 to August 5, 1944; Palau, September 6 to October 1, 1944; the Battle of Surigao Strait, October 24–25, 1944; Iwo Jima, February 10 to March 10, 1945; and Okinawa, March 21 to April 7, 1945. Operating in the face of continued and persistent air attacks throughout five major campaigns, the U.S.S. NEWCOMB blasted Japanese shore emplacements, screened our attacking transports and effectively laid support barrages for amphibious assaults. As the Leader of Destroyer Squadron FIFTY SIX in the historic Battle of Surigao Strait, she spearheaded a three-section night torpedo attack, boldly closing the battleship YAMASHIRO‘s terrific broadsides to aid in sinking the powerful man-o’-war with accurate torpedo salvos. In retiring, she went alongside the stricken A. W. GRANT to evacuate casualties and take the disabled ship in tow. At Iwo Jima, the NEWCOMB covered our minesweepers in the pre-attack sweep of the landing beaches and scored a probable kill on her second submarine. Culminating her brilliant combat service in a furious engagement with seven enemy suicide planes determined to destroy her, the NEWCOMB, staggering from the first suicide crash and slowed by loss of steam, shot down a second plane and was immediately smashed amidships by a third. With top-hamper and machinery spaces blown into a tangled mass of rubble, with smoke and flames billowing 1000 feet above her and the bridge the only structure intact above the water line, she fought on relentlessly with her remaining guns in manual control to blast three more attackers into the sea an damage the last Kamikaze. Superbly handled by valiant officers and men, the NEWCOMB has added new luster to the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

All personnel attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. NEWCOMB in one or more of the above mentioned periods are hereby authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon. For the President,

/s/ James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy

Marvin J Diceglie