Rear Admiral (Upper Half) Edward C. Stephan, USN.

January 30

Picked up this uniform in the last month and honestly, the research on him just by barely skimming the surface was amazing. Edward Clark Stephan was born in June of 1907 in the nation's capitol and graduated with the Class of 1929 from USNA. Looks like his first assignment is with the USS Arkansas soon after commissioning. Bulk of his career and what I saw online was about his Navy Cross and the three Silver Stars he was awarded during his time in the submarine service. Assuming command of the Tambor-class USS Grayback SS-208 during her fourth war patrol it seems like he led the sub through quite a few successful patrol, in grand total of all her patrols she sunk fourteen ships, and an total of 63,835 tons.

One of the interesting pieces of history was the second submarine appendectomy," With Grayback running 100 feet beneath the surface, and despite lacking a surgeon's tool kit, the untutored Roby successfully removed the infected appendix, and his patient was back standing watch by the end of the patrol." On January 3, 1943 Grayback engaged the Japanese Type C "cruiser" submarine I-18 and had her torps explode prematurely and the submarine escaped unscathed.

In January 1943 he was awarded his first Silver Star for rescuing the crew of a downed B-26, "The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Lieutenant Commander Edward Clark Stephan (NSN: 0-62650), United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. GRAYBACK (SS-208) in action on 4 January 1943. Commander Stephan effected the rescue of six members of the crew of an Army Medium Bombardment Airplane (B-26) from Rendova Island, after this crew had been forced to abandon their airplane as the result of enemy anti-aircraft fire in an attack on Munda Airdrome. For this purpose it was necessary to enter into Rendova Harbor in an area of enemy surface activity, in close proximity to an enemy airdrome at Munda. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Military Service."

His second and third Silver Stars came soon after in recognition for the successful fourth, fifth and seventh war patrols. "The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Edward Clark Stephan (NSN: 0-62650), United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy. While Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. GRAYBACK (SS-208) during the FOURTH and FIFTH War Patrols of that Submarine from October 1942 to 23 January 1943 in the Solomon Islands, Lieutenant Commander Stephan maneuvered his ship into positions from which to strike the enemy, and aggressively attacked, sinking two medium transports, probably sinking one large submarine, medium cargo ship, and four troop landing barges, and probably damaging a large unidentified ship. Further, he directed the service of the GRAYBACK in effectively assisting the bombardment of Munda Island by surface ships, and directed the rescue of six U.S. Army Air Force personnel from an island then occupied by the enemy. His actions and conduct were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Commander Edward Clark Stephan (NSN: 0-62650), United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in the performance of his duties as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. GRAYBACK (SS-208) during the SEVENTH War Patrol of that Submarine from 25 April 1943 to 30 May 1943. After skillful maneuvering, he launched attacks which damaged enemy shipping and an enemy warship totaling 28,625 tons. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

The seventh patrol was more successful. Departing Brisbane on 25 April, Grayback intercepted a convoy whose position had been radioed to her by Albacore (SS-218) on 11 May. In a night surface attack, Grayback fired a spread of six torpedoes at the seven freighters and their three escorts. The three escorts charged, and she had to go deep to elude the attacking enemy. She was credited with the sinking of cargo ship Yodogawa Maru. On 16 May, she torpedoed and seriously damaged a destroyer. The following day, Grayback intercepted four marus with one escort; she sank the freighter England Maru and damaged two others before she was forced to dive. Grayback arrived at Pearl Harbor on 30 May, then proceeded to San Francisco, California, for a much needed overhaul and modernization. For this patrol he was awarded the Navy Cross, "The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Edward Clark Stephan (NSN: 0-62650), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. GRAYBACK (SS-208), during the War Patrols of that submarine in 1942 and 1943. With courage and skill he attacked two escorted enemy convoys and two enemy destroyers which resulted in damaging an important amount of enemy shipping, including one destroyer. By skillful evasive tactics he eluded heavy enemy counter measures and succeeded in bringing his ship safely home. His leadership and skill throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Being replaced by Commander John Anderson Moore as CO he transferred to the newly commissioned Balao-class USS Devilfish in September 1944, after three months of workup, exercises and training they embarked for their first war patrol on December 31st 1944. Majority of said patrol was patrolling the dangerous waters of Kii Suido and Bungo Suido off the island of Shikoku, and served as lifeguard for Army pilots bombing Japan. She refitted at Guam from 13 February-15 March, called at Saipan and began her second patrol in March under the command of Stephen Mann Jr.

Following the war he served on the Secretary of the Navy's Committee on Research and Organization; then several submarine connected commands (not sure which). His next duty was on the Submarine Desk with the Officer of the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations until September 1951 when he became Legislative Counsel, Officer of the Judge Advocate General. in 1953 he reported as Chief of Staff to Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, remaining until 1954 when he became CO of USS Pocono. Following other sea duty in 1956, Admiral Stephan in June of that year became Chief of Legislative Liaison, Navy Department.

On September 10, 1958 he assumed command of the South Atlantic Force, based in Trinidad and remained in that position until his appointment as Hydrographer of the Navy in April 1960. The title, Hydrographer of the Navy, was discontinued December 31st 1961 and the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office was redesignated as the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office on July 10th 1962. He was awarded the Navy Cross, Legion of Merit (not on the uniform), three Silver Stars, Navy Unit Commendation Medal American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.