Richard E. Hawes

Infobox Military Person
name = Richard Ellington Hawes
lived = February 12 1894 – December 30 1968
placeofbirth = Thomson, Georgia
placeofdeath = Thomson, Georgia


caption =
nickname =
allegiance = United States of America
serviceyears = 1917–1952
rank = Captain
branch = United States Navy
commands = "Pigeon" (ASR-6)
unit =
battles = World War II *Battle of the Philippines
awards = Navy Cross Bronze Star Presidential Unit Citation
laterwork =

Richard Ellington Hawes (1894–1968) was an United States naval officer who served in World War I and World War II.

Early life, through World War I

Hawes was born in Thomson, Georgia, on February 12 1894. He attended the University of Georgia on a baseball scholarship before transferring to Mercer University. There he won recognition in both baseball and American football. He earned a law degree along the way, but passed up the bar exam to coach and play professional baseball.

When America entered World War I in 1917, Hawes enlisted in the Navy as a Fireman Second Class. Fifteen months later he accepted a temporary appointment as an Ensign, but reverted to Boatswain (Warrant Officer) in 1920.

Interwar service

In March 1926 Hawes joined "Falcon" (ASR-2) as Executive Officer. While aboard "Falcon" he played a key role in the salvage of "S-51" off Block Island, R.I. in September 1925. For his part in that difficult and dangerous operation Boatswain Hawes received his first Navy Cross. He also assisted in the salvaging of the submarine "S-4", which sank off Provincetown, Mass. in December 1927.

On February 18 1929, Hawes was commissioned an Ensign by a special act of the U.S. Congress in recognition of his services in salvaging the "S-51" and "S-4".

In January 1940 Lieutenant Hawes assumed command of "Pigeon" (ASR-6) and was serving in that role when the United States entered World War II.

World War II

Japanese attack on Cavite Navy Yard, the Philippines, December 10, 1941

On December 10 1941 the "Pigeon" was docked at the Cavite Navy Yard on Manila Bay for repairs to her steering gear when Japanese warplanes attacked. Since Pearl Harbor three days before, Hawes had main steam pressure up and the full crew aboard, ready to get underway at an instant. Lashed to the minesweeper "Quail" (AM-15), which provided steering for both, "Pigeon" cleared the docks and headed for the relative safety of the bay to dodge the enemy bombs.

By this time Cavite had become a hellish inferno. After separating from "Quail" Hawes could see that the submarine "Seadragon" (SS-194) was about to be engulfed by bombs and fire in her berth. Through heavy bombing and strafing, Lieutenant Hawes maneuvered the 187-foot "Pigeon" back to the flaming dock to haul the helpless submarine stern first from her berth. Another submarine and a minesweeper had just been sunk there by direct hits. The heat and flames were so intense that they blistered the ship's paint, singed off body hair, and melted the brim of Hawes' cap. But "Pigeon"'s crew managed to rig a line on the "Seadragon" and tow her to safety.

For this heroic action, Hawes received his second Navy Cross and "Pigeon" was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the first warship to receive the award in World War II. "Seadragon" went on to distinguished service, earning eleven battle stars before the war ended.

Immediately after the attack Hawes found and mounted on his ship two 3-inch guns and twelve .50 caliber machine guns from the wrecked Navy Yard. By the end of December the new "gunboat" had received her second Presidential Unit Citation for shooting down several enemy planes and bombarding enemy troops. She was the only surface warship to win two Presidential Unit Citations in World War II.

Later service

Except for the brief periods when he was in transit or putting "Chanticleer" (ASR-1) and "Anthedon" (AS-24) into commission, Hawes spent virtually all of World War II at sea in the Pacific in command of his three ships. Like Hawes himself, his ships always had a reputation for efficiency and readiness. When he put "Chanticleer" into commission, he had depth-charge racks installed so he could prosecute Japanese submarines. When he put "Anthedon" into commission, 92% of his crew were inductees and had never been to sea, but he sailed directly from commissioning to the Pacific war and within two hours of his arrival was servicing submarines. He received the Bronze Star for "undaunted courage and professional skill" for his command of that ship.

As he left the Western Pacific theater in January 1945, the Commander, Submarines, Philippine Sea Frontier sent "Anthedon" a message of thanks and good wishes, describing Commander Hawes and his men as "ever ready, ever fearless."

Hawes was promoted to Captain on March 25 1945. On December 1, 1952 he was transferred to the retired list and promoted to Rear Admiral.

Retirement and later years

On December 01 1952 he was transferred to the retired list and promoted to Rear Admiral.

Rear Admiral Hawes died at his home in Thomson, Georgia, on December 30 1968.

Namesake

In 1984, the guided missile frigate USS "Hawes" (FFG-53) was named in honor of RAdm Hawes..

References

* [https://wrc.navair-rdte.navy.mil/warfighter_enc/History/bios/hawes.htm The War Fighter's Encyclopedia -Richard E. Hawes]