- SURNAME
Welch
- FORENAME
David Fife (Kelly)
- UNIT
U.S.N.R. UDT-1 (Commanding Officer)
- RANK
Lieutenant Commander
- NUMBER
0-97926
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
Korea 1950
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 05.09.1918, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
father Frederick Christian Welch (1876-1935)
mother Bessie M. (nee Fife) Welch (1879-1962)
1949 married Mary Spalding (nee Stewart) Welch (1920-2004)
U.S.N.R. (Ensign) 15.5.1941
USS Carter 1945 (Lt)
award Bronze Star with V (anti-submarine ops, Atlantic 1945)
Assistant Chief of Staff, Logistics, Staff C-in-C USNF, Europe 1964 (Captain)
award Legion of Merit
Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff,J-4 + Deputy for Special Projects, Assistant Chief of Staff, J-4, US MACV, Vietnam 1965-66
award 2nd Legion of Merit
retired U.S.N. (RAdm) 1.7.1972
died 05.04.2005 (Aged 86), Tucson, Arizona, USA
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, USA. Section 8-C, Row 18, Site 2
CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander David Fife Welch (NSN: 0-97926), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of Underwater Demolition Team ONE, a part of the raiding forces in a Special Operations Group of Amphibious Group ONE, Pacific Fleet which conducted a series of successful night demolition raids and beach reconnaissance missions in the coastal waters of enemy-held Korea during the period 12 through 25 August 1950. Lieutenant Commander Welch expertly planned and skillfully organized and trained his Underwater Demolition Team for each of these demolition and beach reconnaissance missions. Under the Landing Force Commander he personally led and directed the night hydrographic survey of three beaches. He conducted his command with skill and courage. Under his determined leadership the surveys were successfully completed despite the fact that on the last night heavy enemy opposition was encountered and the reconnaissance party was forced to withdraw under fire. His leadership, skill, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Legion of Merit : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain David Fife Welch (NSN: 0-97926), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Chief of Staff, Logistics, on the staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe. Participating as the CINCUSNAVEUR representative in critical studies of European military support installations, Captain Welch provided counsel and effectively presented Navy requirements, enabling the committee members to view the NavEur logistic structure in proper perspective, with resultant recommendations favorable to the U.S. Navy's best interests. He was instrumental in correcting misconceptions regarding the employment of naval forces, in improving logistic facilities procedures, and in effecting savings to the U.S. of more than $500,000.
Bronze Star : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" to Lieutenant David Fife Welch (NSN: 0-97926), United States Navy, for outstanding performance of duty as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. CARTER during an attack on a German submarine on 22 April 1945. When sonar contact was made, Lieutenant Welch, in his capacity as Evaluator in Combat Information Center, supervised the tracking of the target and relayed to the U.S.S. NEAL A SCOTT a continuous flow of information on the submarine's position and movements in order that the NEAL A SCOTT might establish contact. Following the NEAL A. SCOTT's attack, Lieutenant Welch continued to provide information, accurate and timely, during the CARTER's attack, thus greatly assisting the Commanding Officer in delivering an effective and successful attack and materially contributing to the destruction of the enemy submarine. Lieutenant Welch's actions throughout the attack reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
Legion of Merit : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain David Fife Welch (NSN: 0-97926), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Chief of Staff, Logistics, on the staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe. Participating as the CINCUSNAVEUR representative in critical studies of European military support installations, Captain Welch provided counsel and effectively presented Navy requirements, enabling the committee members to view the NavEur logistic structure in proper perspective, with resultant recommendations favorable to the U.S. Navy's best interests. He was instrumental in correcting misconceptions regarding the employment of naval forces, in improving logistic facilities procedures, and in effecting savings to the U.S. of more than $500,000.
Bronze Star : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" to Lieutenant David Fife Welch (NSN: 0-97926), United States Navy, for outstanding performance of duty as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. CARTER during an attack on a German submarine on 22 April 1945. When sonar contact was made, Lieutenant Welch, in his capacity as Evaluator in Combat Information Center, supervised the tracking of the target and relayed to the U.S.S. NEAL A SCOTT a continuous flow of information on the submarine's position and movements in order that the NEAL A SCOTT might establish contact. Following the NEAL A. SCOTT's attack, Lieutenant Welch continued to provide information, accurate and timely, during the CARTER's attack, thus greatly assisting the Commanding Officer in delivering an effective and successful attack and materially contributing to the destruction of the enemy submarine. Lieutenant Welch's actions throughout the attack reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/300039FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49335948/david-fife-welch
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