USS Tennessee (BB-43) - Awards

Awards

For her service Tennessee was awarded 10 Service stars and the following ribbons/awards.

The 10 Service stars awarded to Tennessee were awarded based on her participation in the 13 operations detailed below.

Service stars awarded

Action No.	Operation:Action	Operation Period	Period of BB-43 Participation	Battle Stars awarded	Notes
(1)	Pearl Harbor—Midway	7 December 1941	7 December 1941	1
(2)	Gilbert Islands operation	13 November – 8 December 1943	20 November 1943 – 4 December 1943	1
(3) (4)	Marshall Islands operation: Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls Marshall Islands operation: Occupation of Eniwetok Atoll	29 January 1944 – 8 February 1944 17 February – 2 March 1944	31 January 1944 – 8 February 1944 17 February 1944 – 23 February 1944	1	One battle star awarded for participation in 1 or more of the Marshall Islands Operation actions. Tennessee participated in 2 actions (Actions No. (3) and (4)) out of 5 total actions that took place during the Marshall Islands Operation and thus was awarded 1 star.
(5) (6)	Marianas operation: Capture and occupation of Saipan Marianas operation: Capture and occupation of Guam	11 June – 10 August 1944 12 July – 15 August 1944	14 June 1944 – 22 June 1944 2 August 1944 – 9 August 1944	1	One battle star awarded for participation in 1 or more of the Marianas Operation actions. Tennessee participated in 2 actions (Actions No. (5) and (6)) out of 10 total actions that took place during the Marianas Operation and thus was awarded 1 star.
(7)	Tinian capture and occupation	24 July – 1 August 1944	20 July 1944 – 2 August 1944	1
(8)	Western Caroline Islands operation: Capture and occupation of southern Palau Islands	6 September – 14 October 1944	6 September 1944 – 14 October 1944	1
(9) (10)	Leyte operation: Leyte landings Leyte operation: Battle of Surigao Strait	10 October – 29 November 1944 24–26 October 1944	10 October 1944 – 29 November 1944 25 October 1944	1	One battle star awarded for participation in 1 or more of the Leyte Operation actions. Tennessee participated in 2 actions (Actions No. (9) and (10)) out of 10 total actions that took place during the Leyte Operation and thus was awarded 1 star.
(11)	Iwo Jima operation: Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima	15 February – 16 March 1945	16 February 1945 – 7 March 1945	1
(12)	Okinawa Gunto operation: Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto	24 March – 30 June 1945	25 March 1945 – 3 May 1945	1
(13)	3d Fleet operations against Japan	10 July – 15 August 1945	10 July 1945 – 7 August 1945	1
			Total Battle Stars	10

The recommendation for a Navy Unit Commendation was announced on 13 October 1945 when Vice Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf told the crew that he had recommended the USS Tennessee for a Unit Citation which would be the equivalent to the Silver Star or Legion of Merit awarded to individuals. This is one of only four Navy Unit Citations awarded to a Battleship for actions during World War II. Other battleships that received a Navy Unit Citation for World War II were the Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Mississippi. Tennessees citation was signed by Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 5 April 1946 and applies to all personnel attached to the Tennessee and actually present and serving during the period of 31 January 1944 through 21 June 1945 in the Pacific, or any part thereof. The citation reads as follows.

U.S.S. Tennessee (BB-43) Navy Unit Commendation

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending

The United States Ship Tennessee for service as follows:

"For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during the period from January 31, 1944, to June 21, 1945. Conducting extensive bom- bardments with devistating accuracy throughout thir- teen major operations, the U.S.S. TENNESSEE method- ically reduced enemy defenses prior to the time of landings, provided a tremendous amount of concen- trated fire directly covering amphibious assaults, and furnished controlled fire supporting the movement of troops ashore after the invasions, making possible the advance of our forces through the Central Pacific with- out prohibitive loss of life. Withstanding repeated blows from enemy shore batteries, bombs, torpedoes and Kamikaze planes, her courageous crew skillfully effected emergency repairs which kept her in action during extended periods of tension, strain and extreme peril. In the historic Battle of Surigao Straits she con- tributed materially to the destruction of a powerful portion of the Japanese Fleet, including at least two battleships. The TENNESSEE's splendid record of achievements, from the Aleutians to the Ryukyus, re- flects the superb teamwork and gallantry of her valiant officers and men and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

All personnel attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. TENNESSEE during the above period are hereby authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon.

/signed/ JAMES FORRESTAL

SECRETARY OF THE NAVY