THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 1, 1996 TAG: 9604300365
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MELISSA GUNDEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
Q. During World War II, selected military personnel were authorized to wear the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. I read somewhere recently the actual medal is now available. Do you know how one would go about obtaining this medal?
A. The Defense and Armed Forces Affairs Office, Embassy of the Philippines, Washington, D.C., is the office in charge of the issuance of World War II Philippine awards and medals. Because of budget limitations, this office has temporarily suspended medals and awards. The issuance of medals will resume later in the year. For more information, write to the Defense and Armed Forces Affairs Office Embassy of the Philippines, 1600 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.
Q. The Hobson was a complete loss in a collision with the Wasp in 1952. What was the total number of casualties?
A. According to the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, 176 lives were lost, including the commanding officer of the Hobson (DD-464). On April 26, 1952, the Wasp collided with the destroyer minesweeper while conducting night flying operations en route to Gibraltar. The collision rolled the Hobson over, breaking her in two. There weren't any casualties aboard the Wasp, but her bow was torn by a 75-foot saw-tooth rip.
Q. When my husband left the Navy in 1991, our medical records were sent to St. Louis. How can I obtain them and what is the address?
A. Write to the National Personnel Records Center, attention Navy section, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. 63132. Or call (314) 538-4177.
Q. How do you find out what ships have received awards? And on decommissioned ships, how do you go about finding awards that are not in the published awards manual?
A. There hasn't been an awards manual with a complete list published since 1966. There is an awards manual, but it just lays the foundation for the guidelines and speaks of the various awards. The awards mentioned are mostly individual awards, not to support ships but to support people. The book does mention unit awards, such as the Navy Unit Commendation, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Meritorious Unit Commendation - those awarded to the ships and those who served on the ships when the award was presented. If there is something in particular you are looking for, please leave another message and I will try to help you. MEMO: Hot Line runs every other week. To submit your questions, see INFOLINE
box at left.
by CNB