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Captain George DeMetropolis
United States Navy
The following
information was provided by Jan DeMetropolis on her late father-in-law, George DeMetropolis (1909-1968)
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Personal Data: Born: New York, New York, April 5, 1909 Parents: John and Helen (Gararis) DeMetropolis Wifes Name and Date of Marriage: Maria Clarke, October 25, 1951 Children: Angelica, June 1947, George John 1952, Lillian Helen DeMetropolis Official Address: 148 East 18th Street, New York, New York Education: Dewitt Clinton High School, New York City; U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland (BS, 1931); Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island (1956) Promotions: Commissioned Ensign, June 4, 1931 Lieutenant (jr), June 4, 1934 Lieutenant, July 1, 1939 Lieutenant Commander, June 15, 1942 Commander, November 1, 1942 Captain, February 1, 1953 Decorations and Medals: Bronze Star Medal with two Gold Stars, all with Combat V American Defense Service Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Silver Stars (ten engagements) World War II Victory Medal Navy Occupation Service Medal, Europe and Asia Clasps National Defense Service Medal Philippine Liberation Ribbon, one Star Royal Order of George I, rank of Commander, from the government of Greece Bronze Star Medal: For meritorious service as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. PRINGLE, during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago from October 1943, to March 1944 (He) efficiently commanded his ship in the initial landings on Treasury, Green and Emirau Islands, assisted in screening eight echelons to Bougainville and carried out many barge sweeps which resulted in the destruction of several hostile barges loaded with supplies and personnel Gold Star in lieu of the Second Bronze Star Medal: For meritorious achievement as Navigator of the USS Pringle, serving as Flagship for a Mining Detachment, during mine laying and bombardment operations against enemy Japanese forces on Kolombangara, Shortland and Bougainville, British Solomon Islands, on the night of June 29, 1943. Operating in poorly charted waters near reefs surrounding enemy held shores, (He) skillfully navigated his ship, leading the minelayers throughout the hazardous mission. His seamanship, courage and devotion to duty were important factors in the successful mining of waters used extensively by enemy vessels... Gold Star in lieu of the
Third Bronze Star Medal: For
meritorious service as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. WALLACE L. LIND
during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Western Pacific War
Area from January 5 to May 15th, 1945
(He) led his command in
widespread actions against the enemy from Luzon, the Indo China Coast and
Formosa to Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the Japanese Home Islands.
Repeatedly subjected to fierce hostile air attacks while operating
with a Fast Carrier Task Force, the WALLACE L. LIND individually destroyed
two enemy aircraft and aided in the destruction of many other Japanese
planes attacking the formation
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| Jun 1931 | Aug 1933 | USS TEXAS (Engineering and Gunnery) |
| Aug 1933 | Jun 1934 | USS FULTON (First Lieutenant) |
| Jul 1934 | Aug 1936 | USS J.D. EDWARDS (Gunnery Officer, First Lieutenant) |
| Dec 1936 | Jun 1938 | USS DENT (Gunnery Officer, First Lieutenant) |
| Jul 1938 | Mar 1941 | Third
Naval District and Navy Yard (Aide to Commandant and Assistant Shop Superintendent) |
| Mar 1941 | Apr 1943 | USS
NORTH CAROLINA (Assistant Damage Control Officer, Assistant First Lieutenant) |
| Apr 1943 | Jun 1944 | USS PRINGLE (Commanding Officer) |
| Aug 1944 | Aug 1946 | USS WALLACE L. LIND (Commanding Officer) |
| Aug 1946 | June 1947 | Naval
Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit, Columbia University, New York (Executive Officer) |
| Jul 1947 | Jun 1950 | US Naval Mission to Greece (Fuel and Cargo Officer) |
| Jun 1950 | Dec 1952 |
Third
Naval District |
| Dec 1952 | Jul 1954 | USS WRANGELL (Commanding Officer) |