Congressional Medal of Honor
  
Lt(jg) A. L. David - Boarding Party #1 USS Pillsbury
    
Citation
 
          "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to the U.S.S. Pillsbury during the capture of an enemy German submarine off French West Africa, 4 June 1944. Taking a vigorous part in the skillfully coordinated attack on the German U-505 which climaxed a prolonged search by the Task Group, Lt. David boldly led a party from the Pillsbury in boarding the hostile submarine as it circled erratically at 5 or 6 knots on the surface.  
          Fully aware that the U-boat might momentarily sink or be blown up by exploding demolition and scuttling charges, he braved the added danger of enemy gunfire to plunge through the conning tower hatch and, with his small party, exerted every effort to keep the ship afloat and to assist the succeeding and more fully equipped salvage parties in making the U-505 seaworthy for the long tow across the Atlantic to a U.S. port. By his valiant service during the first successful boarding and capture of an enemy man-o-war on the high seas by the U.S. Navy since 1815, Lt. David contributed materially to the effectiveness of our Battle of the Atlantic and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service."  
 
 
Navy Cross
 
Boarding Party #1 USS Pillsbury
A. W. Knispel TM 2/c
S. E. Wdowiak RM 2/c
 
Citation
 
          "For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a member of a party of nine men who boarded and captured the German Submarine U-505 on 4 June 1944 off Cape Blanco in French West Africa  
          When this party boarded the submarine it was still underway and was running on the surface in a circle, the crew having just been driven overboard by gunfire from the ships and aircraft of Task Group 22.3.  
          There was every reason to believe that there were still enemy personnel below setting demolition charges and scuttling but Wdowiak and two others plunged down the conning tower hatch prepared to fight it out with any enemy personnel they found.  
          Then, altho water was pouring into the U-boat and there was the strong possibility that it would blow up or sink at any moment, he remained below and assisted in salvaging the submarine and keeping it afloat so that eventually the submarine was towed to Bermuda.  
          Wdowiak's conduct reflects great credit on the Naval Service and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Navy"  
 
TM 2/c Knispel's citation was identical
 
Distinguished Service Medal
Capt. D.V. Gallery - Commander Task Group 22.3, Commanding Officer USS Guadalcanal
 
Captain Daniel V. Gallery, the Distinguished Service Medal is the top ribbon just below his Navy wings, January 31, 1945
 
Silver Star
Boarding Party #1 USS Pillsbury
E. J. Beavers S 1/c G. F. Hohne SM 2/c G. W. Jacobson CMoMM R. R. Jenkins MoMM 3/c
Z. B. Lukosius MoMM 1/c C. A. Mocarski GM 2/c W. M. Pickels BM 2/c W. R. Riendeau EM 2/c
 
P. N. Trusheim Cox
  
 
Citation
 
          "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action, while serving on board the U.S.S. PILLSBURY, attached to Task Group TWENTY-TWO POINT THREE, during the capture of an enemy German submarine off French West Africa, June 4, 1944.  
          Participating in the skillfully coordinated attack on the German U-505 which climaxed a prolonged search by the Task Group, PICKELS joined a party from the PILLSBURY in boarding the hostile submarine as it circled erratically at five or six knots on the surface.  
          Fully aware that the U-boat might momentarily sink or be blown up by exploding demolition and scuttling charges, he braved the added danger of enemy gunfire to plunge through the conning tower hatch and, with the rest of the small party, exerted every effort to keep the ship afloat and to assist the succeeding and more fully equipped salvage parties in making the U-505 sea-worthy for the long two across the Atlantic to a United States port.  
          By his valiant service during the first successful boarding and capture of an enemy man-o’-war on the high seas since 1815, PICKELS contributed materially to the effective prosecution of the Battle of the Atlantic and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."  
 
Members of the first boarding party from the USS Pillsbury. Left to Right: C. A. Mocarski GM 2/c, W. R. Riendeau EM 2/c, G. W. Jacobson CMoMM, Z. B. Lukosius MoMM 1/c, G. F. Hohne SM 2/c, W. M. Pickels BM 2/c, S. E. Wdowiak RM 2/c, A. W. Knispel TM 2/c. Not shown are: Lt(jg) A. L. David, E. J. Beavers S 1/c and R. R. Jenkins MoMM 3/c who remained aboard U-505 to assist the later boarding parties and the Coxswain P. N. Trusheim Cox who remained aboard his motor whaleboat. This photo was taken by Cliff Werlla aboard the USS Guadalcanal.
 
Legion of Merit
Boarding Party #2 USS Guadalcanal
 
Cdr. E. Trosino
R. P. Burr CGM
  
 
Boarding Party #3 USS Guadalcanal
  
 
Lt. D. E. Hampton
  
        
Distinguished Flying Cross
 
VC-8 Squadron
  
 
Ens.J. W. Cadle
Lt. W. W. Roberts
  
       
 
 
 
Navy & Marine Corp Medal
  
 
Boarding Party #2 USS Guadalcanal
  
Ens. F. L. Middaugh
C. V. Werller CPhoM
F. H. Venker MM 3/c
 
Boarding Party #3 USS Guadalcanal
  
 
J. Wright BM 1/c
  
       
 
 
 
Bronze Star
  
 
Lt. N. D. Hodson - VC-8 Squadron Commander
  
       
 
 
Letter of Commendation with Ribbon
 
Boarding Party #2 USS Guadalcanal
  
Ens. J. H. Griffin R. H. Jackson CPhoM B. J. Reha S1/c J. E. Reilly S1/c
R. C. Shartle Cox W. L. Stein EM 1/c W. A. Waller MM 2/c N. R. Werner CMM
 
Boarding Party #3 USS Guadalcanal
  
Lt(jg) R. B. Wathen G. L. Vorhories CCM A. A. Shepard CEM E. O. Melchert CTM
B. J. Lochrem EM 1/c J. P. Blair G.M 2/c L. A. Tudury SF 2/c J. F. Lopez EM 2/c
M. E. Langford EM 2/c H. J. Depp EM 3/c G. P. Larson EM 2/c D. L. Carter SM 2/c
J. W. Hayes SF 2/c R. K. Seger S 1/c R. G. Perkins S 1/c  
 
Presidential Unit Citation
 
Awarded to TG 22.3 consisting of USS Guadalcanal (Flagship), USS Pillsbury, USS Pope, USS Flaherty, USS Chatelain, USS Jenks and Composite Squadron Eight
 
Citation
 
          "For extraordinary heroism in action against an enemy German submarine during the capture of that vessel off French, West Africa, June 4, 1944. Locating the German U-505 after a long period of fruitless search during an anti-submarine sweep, the Units of Task Group TWENTY-TWO POINT THREE skillfully coordinated in the relentless tracking of the objective and in the hold-down operations which culminated in an effective depth-charge attack and the forcing of the U-boat to the surface where the hostile crew was subjected to the combined automatic weapons' fire of our destroyer escorts and aircraft with relatively minor material damage inflicted on the target. Aware that the ship might momentarily sink or blow up, a small party braved the danger of hostile gunfire to board the vessel while she was still circling at 5 or 6 knots on the surface, plunged through the conning tower hatch and worked desperately to keep her afloat and to aid other more fully equipped salvage parties in making the U-505 seaworthy for the long tow across the Atlantic. In accomplishing the first successful boarding and capture of an enemy man o' war on the high seas by the United States Navy since 1815, Task Group TWENTY-TWO POINT THREE rendered invaluable service affecting subsequent operations in the Battle of the Atlantic and upheld the oldest and highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."