John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Bucklew
  • FORENAME
Phil Hinkle
  • UNIT
Scouts and Raiders
  • RANK
Ensign + Lieutenant,junior grade
  • NUMBER
0-244104
  • AWARD
Navy Cross with 1 Gold Star, Silver Star, Croix de Guerre avec palm (Fr)
  • PLACE
Sicily 1943 (NC) Salerno, Italy 1943 (SS) Normandy 1944 (2nd NC, CdG)
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 18.12.1914 Columbus, Ohio
graduated Columbus North High School
attended Xavier University, Cincinnati
professional football player
entered service 8.12.1941 (USNR)
commissioned Ensign
Scouts and Raiders
Sicily (Op.Husky) July 1943 (Lt jg)
Salerno (Op.Avalanche) September 1943
Normandy 1944
China 1945
left Navy 1946
graduated Columbia University (Ph.D.)
returned to service 1948
Lieutenant Commander 1955
OC NSWG 1 (Seal Team 1,UDTs 11 & 12,BSU-1) 1962-67
served in Vietnam
Navy Department, Pentagon 1967-69
retired 1969 as Captain
also awarded Legion of Merit and Bronze Star (date/place ?)
consultant, Swiftships (shipbuilding company)
married Helen Nagel 1946 (died 2004)
died 30.12.1992 Fairfax, Virginia
Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia Section 8 Site 10174
 

CITATION:

Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Phil Hinkle Bucklew (NSN: 0-244104), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as a Scout Boat Officer in action against enemy forces during the amphibious assault on the Island of Sicily on 10 July 1943. Despite glaring searchlights and enemy gunfire, Ensign Bucklew accurately located the designated beach and properly directed the assault boat wave. Disregarding fire from shore batteries and machine guns which repeatedly struck his boat, he coolly and skillfully guided subsequent waves to the proper beach. Prior to the assault, with great resourcefulness and energy, he trained the scout boat crews for the entire attack force. The high state of training achieved contributed greatly to the successful performance of the scout boats during the landings. The outstanding courage, skill and devotion to duty displayed by Ensign Bucklew were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Navy Cross (Gold Star) : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Phil Hinkle Bucklew (NSN: 0-244104), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Officer in Charge of an LCT Scout Boat during the amphibious assault on the Normandy Coast of France on 6 June 1944. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bucklew embarked in one of the first craft to approach the strongly defended Normandy coast and succeeded in the highly important mission of locating the beaches to be assaulted. Despite heavy surf and harassing enemy fire he led the first wave of DD tanks to the beach and there took up his station near the beach to act as a guide. While the tanks were landing, he fired rockets over them to target objectives on the beach. After all rockets were expended he moved in closer to the beach and fired his twin fifty-caliber machine guns at suspected enemy machine gun nests in houses along the beach. In addition to his assigned duties, without regard for his own personal safety and under heavy enemy fire he rescued wounded personnel from the water near their burning landing craft and carried them to safety. He continued throughout the morning and afternoon of D-Day working near the beach, regulating the flow of traffic and rescuing wounded personnel. The outstanding devotion to duty and courage under fire displayed by Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bucklew were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Ensign Phil Hinkle Bucklew (NSN: 0-244104), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Scout Boat Officer during the amphibious assault on the West Coast of Italy. Prior to the invasion, Ensign Bucklew, exercising outstanding leadership and skill, assisted materially in preparing equipment and in training the scout boat crews which later successfully carried out their hazardous missions. On 9 September 1943, he embarked in a small kayak during complete darkness, located a pre-arranged landing beach and landed in advance of the assault. He promptly and effectively directed the attack forces to their proper landing point, stalwartly maintaining his exposed position despite heavy enemy gunfire. Through his bravery, resourcefulness and intense determination, he contributed greatly to the success of the landings. The exceptional courage and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Ensign Bucklew were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

WEB LINKS:

https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/19876

FINDAGRAVE:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10611461/phil-hinkle-bucklew
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