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Miniature Grouping of Captain Herbert Michael


LYONSJ9
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The grouping of Captain Herbert H. Michael: 1904 graduate of the US Naval Academy (classmate of Admiral Bull Halsey), veteran of Cuban Pacification, the Conflict in Mexico, WWI, and recipient of the US Navy’s second highest award for valor: the Navy Cross.

 

Captain Michael served as Commanding Officer of the Tucker class Destroyer USS Conyngham during WWI, which saw heavy action during the Great War’s Battle of the Atlantic. Conyngham was involved in numerous rescue operations of shipwreck survivors that had been victims of German U-Boats, and assisted in the attacks of several U-Boats during the course of her career. Most notably was the case of U-62.

 

Conyngham was escorting a convoy of merchant vessels when suddenly a German U-Boat’s periscope (U-62) became visible in the middle of the group. Immediately, Captain Michael ordered the Destroyer to attack the now submerged submarine with her depth charges. After a short while,oil and debris welled up to the surface from where the submarine had dived, leading Michael and his crew to believe they’d had a kill. The US fleet and British Admiralty commended Michael for his bravery in pressing the attack on this submarine, and awarded Conyngham a “probable” kill. Unfortunately though, it was later discovered that U-62 (though severely damaged) had survived the encounter to fight another day.

 

At the conclusion of the Great War, for his excellent leadership skills and unwavering bravery throughout the Atlantic campaign, Captain Michael was awarded the Navy Cross and the Commander grade to the French Legion of Honor.

 

His Navy Cross citation reads:

 

“The President of the United States takes pleasure in Awarding the Navy Cross to Herbert H. Michael for distinguished service in his line of profession as Commanding Officer of USS Conyngham, engaged in the important, exacting, and hazardous duty of patrolling the waters infested with enemy submarines and mines, in escorting and protecting vitally important convoys of troops and supplies through these waters, in offensive and defensive action, vigorously and unremittingly prosecuted against all forms of enemy naval activity during the Great European War”

 

Captain Michael would continue to serve in the US Navy until retiring in 1939 as Commanding Officer of the US Naval Training Station in Norfolk Virginia. He would later pass away in 1948.7323be2fc885d622edbf789f4825f181.jpg

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A spectacular and historic grouping. Very nicely displayed, well done!

Thank you! I was pretty excited to get this!


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Great grouping and showcasing history of an early Navy Cross recipient.Thanks for posting.

Thank you John.
I was very excited to find these on the Facebook Make an Offer page. The real thrill though was finding a photo of him with the assistance of a friend of mine. It’s always awesome to put a face to an award and make it’s story more personal.


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