James Albert Hirshfield – Vice Admiral,United States Coast Guard

HIRSHFIELD, JAMES A.
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard
Escort Group A-3, U.S.S. Campbell
Date of Action: February 22, 1943
Home Town: San Antonio, Texas

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to James A. Hirshfield, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, for extraordinary heroism in line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the USCG Campbell during action against an enemy submarine on February 22, 1943.

Surprising the hostile undersea craft on the surface during escort operations, Commander Hirshfield, in a quick attempt to ram, collided with the vessel and destroyed it in a fierce attack by depth charges and point-blank fire. Although painfully wounded by flying shell splinters, he gallantly remained in command throughout the action and during the subsequent period while the Campbell was towed safely into port with several prisoners from the sunken submarine.

Admiral Hirshfield, as Vice Admiral, served as Deputy Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.

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