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.
Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard