Roy Alexander "Red" Gano (December 3, 1902 – January 20, 1971) was a vice admiral of the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

who distinguished himself in

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

Korean War , date = {{Ubl, 25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953 (''de facto'')({{Age in years, months, weeks and days, month1=6, day1=25, year1=1950, month2=7, day2=27, year2=1953), 25 June 1950 – present (''de jure'')({{Age in years, months, weeks a ...

, and the

Cold War The Cold War is a term commonly used to refer to a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, the Western Bloc and the Eastern Bloc. The term '' cold war'' is used because the ...

, and served as Commander

Military Sea Transportation Service Military Sealift Command (MSC) is an organization that controls the replenishment and military transport ships of the United States Navy. Military Sealift Command has the responsibility for providing sealift and ocean transportation for all US m ...

(now Military Sealift Command) and as Executive Director for Ocean Transportation from 1961 to 1964.

Early life and career

A native of Pipestone,

Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...

, Gano attended the

United States Naval Academy The United States Naval Academy (US Naval Academy, USNA, or Navy) is a federal service academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It was established on 10 October 1845 during the tenure of George Bancroft as Secretary of the Navy. The Naval Academy ...

and graduated in 1926. He returned to the Academy as a postgraduate student in 1934. He married Harriet Pauline Howard, July 18, 1929. Admiral and Mrs. Gano had two children, Myrtle Eugenia "Jeanne" Gano Steele (1940–2006) and James Alexander Gano (1946–2005). Gano spent much of his early career at sea. He served first in the battleship (1926–29), then was assigned to several destroyers: (1929–30), (1930–31) (1931–32), and as Engineer on board (1934–37). From 1937–1939, he served as Special Engineer, United States Navy Research Lab,

Bellevue Bellevue means "beautiful view" in French. It may refer to: Placenames Australia * Bellevue, Western Australia * Bellevue Hill, New South Wales * Bellevue, Queensland * Bellevue, Glebe, an historic house in Sydney, New South Wales Canada ...

, Washington. In 1941, he was assigned as Material Officer and Commander, Destroyer Battle Force.

From World War II to retirement

Gano spent the first part of the war in seagoing commands. He served as Material Officer and Commander, Task Force 8, Alaska (1941–42) and Commander of the destroyer (1942–44) in

Destroyer Squadron 23 Destroyer Squadron 23 (DESRON 23) is a squadron of United States Navy destroyers based out of San Diego, California. The squadron is best known for its actions during World War II, most notably the Battle of Cape St. George, under the command of ...

. The latter squadron, known as the "Little Beavers", covered the initial landings in Bougainville in November 1943 and fought in 22 engagements during the next four months. For 1944–46, he served as Assistant Director, United States Navy Communications for Administration, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. From 1946-48, Gano served as Commander, Destroyer Squadron 5, also Destroyer Division 51, Japan-Korea area. He then returned to shore duty as Director of Recruiting,

Bureau of Naval Personnel The Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) in the United States Department of the Navy is similar to the human resources department of a corporation. The bureau provides administrative leadership and policy planning for the Office of the Chief of Nava ...

(1948–50), then as Director, Enlisted Personnel Division (1950–51). He returned to sea in 1951 as commander of the cruiser , deployed to Korea for the

, a command he held until 1952. He was then assigned as Chief of Staff and Aide to the Commander, Service Force,

U.S. Pacific Fleet The United States Pacific Fleet (USPACFLT) is a theater-level component command of the United States Navy, located in the Pacific Ocean. It provides naval forces to the Indo-Pacific Command. Fleet headquarters is at Joint Base Pearl Harbor� ...

(1952–54) and Commander, Service Squadron 3, in the evacuation of refugees from Northern Indochina (1954). In 1954, Gano was promoted to vice admiral, and was assigned as Assistant Chief for Logistics, holding that position until 1955. He then served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration, Far East and U.N. Commands (1955–56), Deputy Commander,

(1956–58), Commander, Amphibious Group 2 (1958–59), and Commander,

(1959–64). Admiral Gano retired from active duty in 1964 and then served as Vice President of Moore-McCormack Lines, Washington, D.C. (1964–71). He also served as President and Chairman of the Board of United Seamen's Service from 1961 to 1971. In 1969, he was elected Chairman of the Board of Hamilton Bank & Trust Company, based in Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia, where he was a director until his death. The admiral died on January 20, 1971, and was buried at

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery is one of two national cemeteries run by the United States Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington, Virginia. There are about 30 funerals conducted on weekdays and 7 held on Sa ...

. His wife, Harriet Howard Gano (1902–1991) is now buried with him.Burial Detail: Gano, Roy Alexander (Section 5, Grave 40)
– ANC Explorer Admiral Roy A

Awards and honors

During his career, Admiral Gano was awarded the

Bronze Star The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. Wh ...

with gold star, the

Navy Cross The Navy Cross is the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps' second-highest military decoration awarded for sailors and marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is eq ...

with gold star,

Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight ...

with gold star, and the

Navy Distinguished Service Medal The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919 and is presented to sailors and Marines to recognize distinguished and exceptionally meritoriou ...

. Navy Distinguished Service Medal citation:

The President of the United States of America, takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Roy Alexander Gano, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States during the period 1 June 1961 to 30 June 1964, as Executive Director for Ocean Transportation and as Commander Military Sea Transportation Service. Responsible for directing the complex military logistical sea lift operations of the Department of Defense, Vice Admiral Gano succeeded in improving the responsiveness of the military sea lift in emergencies; enhanced the understanding of the complementary roles of military and merchant shipping to provide greater readiness to meet emergency demands; and made available and effectively utilized ocean shipping to meet military requirements promptly and efficiently during the Berlin build-up, the Cuban crisis and the critical periods in Southeast Asia. By his brilliant leadership, professional competence, and steadfast devotion to duty, Vice Admiral Gano rendered valuable and distinguished service and contributed greatly to the security of the United States.

Navy Cross citation:

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 Captain Roy Alexander Gano, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer , attached to Destroyer Squadron TWENTY-THREE (DesRon 23), during a night engagement with the six enemy Japanese warships off Bougainville, British Solomon Islands, during the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay on 24 and 25 November 1943. Seeking out and fearlessly engaging a powerful enemy, Captain Gano fought his ship with resolute courage and daring aggressiveness, frequently risking his own personal safety to press home vigorous, unrelenting attacks upon Japanese surface forces. By his extreme valor and inspiring leadership, he evoked the indomitable fighting spirit which enabled the gallant officers and men under his command to contribute materially to the crushing defeat imposed upon the enemy in the sinking of four ships and the serious damaging of two others. An expert seaman and tactician, Captain Gano retired the ''Dyson'' from the engagement without loss or damage and his high devotion to duty and splendid conduct throughout the action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Navy Cross citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Roy Alexander Gano, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. ''DYSON'' (DD-509), during an engagement with Japanese naval forces at Empress Augusta Bay, off Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on the night of 1–2 November 1943. With his Task Force engaging a Japanese surface force of superior fire power, Captain Gano hurled the full fighting strength of his ship against the enemy and, by his inspiring leadership and skilled combat tactics, aided his Task Force in sinking five hostile warships, in damaging four others and in completely routing the enemy, thereby contributing materially to the successful establishment of our beachhead on Bougainville Island. His determination, relentless fighting spirit and gallant devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Legion of Merit with Combat V citation:

Awarded for Actions during World War II: Captain Roy Alexander Gano, United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during World War II.

Legion of Merit citation:

Awarded for Actions during the Cold War: Vice Admiral Roy Alexander Gano, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.

with Gold Star * Navy Distinguished Service ribbon

with Gold Star * Bronze Star Medal ribbon

with Gold Star USS Dyson Scoreboard Commander Gano 1944

References

* McLendon, Winzola (1964). "Admirals Setting Sail for Retirement Day." ''The Washington Post and Times-Herald''. June 21.

External links

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and is in the

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.''
Legion of Merit – Criteria, Background, and Images

Roy Alexander Gano
at ArlingtonCemetery.net, an unofficial website
Legion of Valor
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Gano, Roy Alexander 1902 births 1971 deaths United States Navy personnel of World War II United States Navy personnel of the Korean War United States Navy vice admirals United States Naval Academy alumni Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States) Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal Recipients of the Legion of Merit People from Pipestone, Minnesota Burials at Arlington National Cemetery Military personnel from Minnesota