Bio: Dignin, Robert J. (Navy Medal - 1943)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Dignin

----Source: Humbird Enterprise (Humbird, Clark Co., Wis.) 05/01/1943

Dignin, Robert J. (Navy Medal - APR 1943)

Robert J. Dignin, 21 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerome L. Dignin of this village (Humbird, Clark Co., Wis.), has received the Navy and Marine Corps medal from the president of the United States.  It was revealed Wednesday in a release received from the Navy department in Washington.

The citation which accompanied the distinguished award to Dignin, a fireman, first class, in the Navy, follows:

"For outstanding heroism as engineer of a U.S. destroyer’s motor launch during rescue operations in the Pacific area after the torpedoing of the USS Wasp by enemy Japanese forces on Sept. 12, 1942.

"Assisting his comrades in maneuvering the launch through the debris littered sea, which was covered with flaming oil and ringing with the cries of the injured, Dignin worked unceasingly to rescue survivors from the stricken ship.

"Knowing that quantities of gasoline store on the Wasp might explode at any moment, Dignin and his shipmates from the destroyer took their launch under the starboard bow of the flaming carrier and rescued personnel isolated in the forward gun galleys and on the flight deck and trapped by fire and exploding ammunition.

"Although suffering from burns on his face and hands and menaced by bursting shells, Dignin kept on with his work of rescue.  By his fearless devotion to duty and extreme courage he saved many who otherwise might have perished."

Bob Dignin enlisted in the Navy Nov. 5, 1940, at the recruiting station in Minneapolis.  He has seen service in both the Pacific and Atlantic, and is well deserving of the honor which is bestowed upon him.