United States Naval Academy "Class of 1928"
★★★★ Commander of the USS Escolar (SS-294) ★★★★
★★★★ NAVY CROSS ★★★★
USS Escolar (SS-294), a Balao-class submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for the escolar. Escolar was laid down by the Cramp Shipbuilding Company of Philadelphia. She was launched on 18 April 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Emma Stevens Martin Hudgins, wife of J. Bilisoly Hudgins. She was transferred to Boston Navy Yard after launch and thence to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard prior to her commissioning on 2 June 1944, Commander William J. "Moke" Millican in command. On 30 September, when Escolar was estimated to be about north of the Bonin Islands, a listening post received a partial message from her:
THIS FROM ESCOLAR X ATTACKED WITH DECK GUN BOAT SIMILAR TO EX-ITALIAN PETER GEORGE FIVE OTYI Escolar was then forced to break off the transmission and the engagement with the gunboat. No further transmissions were received by bases from Escolar, but Perch and Croaker recorded intra-ship communications with her until 17 October, when Perch received a routine message from Escolar giving her position and course. She was never heard from again.
Lost by enemy action on or about 17 October 1944 while on her first patrol
with the loss of her entire crew.
Loss Date October 17, 1944
Location East of 33° 44'N x 127° 33'E
Circumstances Lost at sea, cause unknown
.
S/O Ellen Theresa (O'Shea) & William J Millican.
Wife was Sara Elizabeth (Stevens) Millican. (m May 1936)
Service # 0-062082
Rank Commander U.S. Navy
★ Purple Heart
★ Navy Cross with Gold Star
MILLICAN, William, Cdr, USN, Escolar SS-294, last reported October 17, 1944, presumed lost by November 27, 1944.
Navy Cross Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander William John Millican (NSN: 0-62082), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. THRESHER (SS-200), on the FOURTH, FIFTH, and SIXTH War Patrols of that submarine during the period 26 June 1942 to 10 January 1943, in an area entirely controlled by enemy Japanese air and naval forces. Although opposed by heavy enemy forces, Lieutenant Commander Millican pressed home his attacks with vigor and skillful determination and succeeded in sinking 26,000 tons of enemy shipping by accurate gunfire, in probably sinking 11,000 tons and in damaging another 11,000 tons without substantial damage to materiel or injury to the personnel of his command. The courageous devotion to duty of Lieutenant Commander Millican and the men under his command and their tenacious fighting spirit enabled the THRESHER to evade the enemy's vigorous countermeasures and complete an aggressive and successful mission.
General Orders: Commander Southern Pacific Forces: Serial 0140 (February 4, 1943)
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Navy Cross: Gold Star Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander William John Millican (NSN: 0-62082), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. THRESHER (SS-200), during operations in the Sunda Strait in the SIXTH War Patrol of that vessel during the period 5 January to 10 March 1943. Taking advantage of every favorable opportunity to strike at the enemy, Lieutenant Commander Millican daringly maneuvered his ship into position and attacked, sinking two enemy transports totaling 19,000 tons, a tanker of 7,000 tons, and damaging a third transport of 12,000 tons. By his expert seamanship and courageous initiative, he evaded hostile countermeasures and brought his ship through without damage. His gallant conduct throughout this period was a continuation of his illustrious record and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 0944 (May 30, 1943) & Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 321 (December 1943)
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Source material from multiple public domain websites.
Remembered by Buffalo (50696055)
★★★★ Commander of the USS Escolar (SS-294) ★★★★
★★★★ NAVY CROSS ★★★★
USS Escolar (SS-294), a Balao-class submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for the escolar. Escolar was laid down by the Cramp Shipbuilding Company of Philadelphia. She was launched on 18 April 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Emma Stevens Martin Hudgins, wife of J. Bilisoly Hudgins. She was transferred to Boston Navy Yard after launch and thence to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard prior to her commissioning on 2 June 1944, Commander William J. "Moke" Millican in command. On 30 September, when Escolar was estimated to be about north of the Bonin Islands, a listening post received a partial message from her:
THIS FROM ESCOLAR X ATTACKED WITH DECK GUN BOAT SIMILAR TO EX-ITALIAN PETER GEORGE FIVE OTYI Escolar was then forced to break off the transmission and the engagement with the gunboat. No further transmissions were received by bases from Escolar, but Perch and Croaker recorded intra-ship communications with her until 17 October, when Perch received a routine message from Escolar giving her position and course. She was never heard from again.
Lost by enemy action on or about 17 October 1944 while on her first patrol
with the loss of her entire crew.
Loss Date October 17, 1944
Location East of 33° 44'N x 127° 33'E
Circumstances Lost at sea, cause unknown
.
S/O Ellen Theresa (O'Shea) & William J Millican.
Wife was Sara Elizabeth (Stevens) Millican. (m May 1936)
Service # 0-062082
Rank Commander U.S. Navy
★ Purple Heart
★ Navy Cross with Gold Star
MILLICAN, William, Cdr, USN, Escolar SS-294, last reported October 17, 1944, presumed lost by November 27, 1944.
Navy Cross Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander William John Millican (NSN: 0-62082), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. THRESHER (SS-200), on the FOURTH, FIFTH, and SIXTH War Patrols of that submarine during the period 26 June 1942 to 10 January 1943, in an area entirely controlled by enemy Japanese air and naval forces. Although opposed by heavy enemy forces, Lieutenant Commander Millican pressed home his attacks with vigor and skillful determination and succeeded in sinking 26,000 tons of enemy shipping by accurate gunfire, in probably sinking 11,000 tons and in damaging another 11,000 tons without substantial damage to materiel or injury to the personnel of his command. The courageous devotion to duty of Lieutenant Commander Millican and the men under his command and their tenacious fighting spirit enabled the THRESHER to evade the enemy's vigorous countermeasures and complete an aggressive and successful mission.
General Orders: Commander Southern Pacific Forces: Serial 0140 (February 4, 1943)
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Navy Cross: Gold Star Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander William John Millican (NSN: 0-62082), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. THRESHER (SS-200), during operations in the Sunda Strait in the SIXTH War Patrol of that vessel during the period 5 January to 10 March 1943. Taking advantage of every favorable opportunity to strike at the enemy, Lieutenant Commander Millican daringly maneuvered his ship into position and attacked, sinking two enemy transports totaling 19,000 tons, a tanker of 7,000 tons, and damaging a third transport of 12,000 tons. By his expert seamanship and courageous initiative, he evaded hostile countermeasures and brought his ship through without damage. His gallant conduct throughout this period was a continuation of his illustrious record and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 0944 (May 30, 1943) & Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 321 (December 1943)
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Source material from multiple public domain websites.
Remembered by Buffalo (50696055)
United States Naval Academy "Class of 1928"
★★★★ Commander of the USS Escolar (SS-294) ★★★★
★★★★ NAVY CROSS ★★★★
USS Escolar (SS-294), a Balao-class submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for the escolar. Escolar was laid down by the Cramp Shipbuilding Company of Philadelphia. She was launched on 18 April 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Emma Stevens Martin Hudgins, wife of J. Bilisoly Hudgins. She was transferred to Boston Navy Yard after launch and thence to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard prior to her commissioning on 2 June 1944, Commander William J. "Moke" Millican in command. On 30 September, when Escolar was estimated to be about north of the Bonin Islands, a listening post received a partial message from her:
THIS FROM ESCOLAR X ATTACKED WITH DECK GUN BOAT SIMILAR TO EX-ITALIAN PETER GEORGE FIVE OTYI Escolar was then forced to break off the transmission and the engagement with the gunboat. No further transmissions were received by bases from Escolar, but Perch and Croaker recorded intra-ship communications with her until 17 October, when Perch received a routine message from Escolar giving her position and course. She was never heard from again.
Lost by enemy action on or about 17 October 1944 while on her first patrol
with the loss of her entire crew.
Loss Date October 17, 1944
Location East of 33° 44'N x 127° 33'E
Circumstances Lost at sea, cause unknown
.
S/O Ellen Theresa (O'Shea) & William J Millican.
Wife was Sara Elizabeth (Stevens) Millican. (m May 1936)
Service # 0-062082
Rank Commander U.S. Navy
★ Purple Heart
★ Navy Cross with Gold Star
MILLICAN, William, Cdr, USN, Escolar SS-294, last reported October 17, 1944, presumed lost by November 27, 1944.
Navy Cross Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander William John Millican (NSN: 0-62082), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. THRESHER (SS-200), on the FOURTH, FIFTH, and SIXTH War Patrols of that submarine during the period 26 June 1942 to 10 January 1943, in an area entirely controlled by enemy Japanese air and naval forces. Although opposed by heavy enemy forces, Lieutenant Commander Millican pressed home his attacks with vigor and skillful determination and succeeded in sinking 26,000 tons of enemy shipping by accurate gunfire, in probably sinking 11,000 tons and in damaging another 11,000 tons without substantial damage to materiel or injury to the personnel of his command. The courageous devotion to duty of Lieutenant Commander Millican and the men under his command and their tenacious fighting spirit enabled the THRESHER to evade the enemy's vigorous countermeasures and complete an aggressive and successful mission.
General Orders: Commander Southern Pacific Forces: Serial 0140 (February 4, 1943)
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Navy Cross: Gold Star Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander William John Millican (NSN: 0-62082), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. THRESHER (SS-200), during operations in the Sunda Strait in the SIXTH War Patrol of that vessel during the period 5 January to 10 March 1943. Taking advantage of every favorable opportunity to strike at the enemy, Lieutenant Commander Millican daringly maneuvered his ship into position and attacked, sinking two enemy transports totaling 19,000 tons, a tanker of 7,000 tons, and damaging a third transport of 12,000 tons. By his expert seamanship and courageous initiative, he evaded hostile countermeasures and brought his ship through without damage. His gallant conduct throughout this period was a continuation of his illustrious record and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 0944 (May 30, 1943) & Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 321 (December 1943)
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Source material from multiple public domain websites.
Remembered by Buffalo (50696055)
★★★★ Commander of the USS Escolar (SS-294) ★★★★
★★★★ NAVY CROSS ★★★★
USS Escolar (SS-294), a Balao-class submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for the escolar. Escolar was laid down by the Cramp Shipbuilding Company of Philadelphia. She was launched on 18 April 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Emma Stevens Martin Hudgins, wife of J. Bilisoly Hudgins. She was transferred to Boston Navy Yard after launch and thence to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard prior to her commissioning on 2 June 1944, Commander William J. "Moke" Millican in command. On 30 September, when Escolar was estimated to be about north of the Bonin Islands, a listening post received a partial message from her:
THIS FROM ESCOLAR X ATTACKED WITH DECK GUN BOAT SIMILAR TO EX-ITALIAN PETER GEORGE FIVE OTYI Escolar was then forced to break off the transmission and the engagement with the gunboat. No further transmissions were received by bases from Escolar, but Perch and Croaker recorded intra-ship communications with her until 17 October, when Perch received a routine message from Escolar giving her position and course. She was never heard from again.
Lost by enemy action on or about 17 October 1944 while on her first patrol
with the loss of her entire crew.
Loss Date October 17, 1944
Location East of 33° 44'N x 127° 33'E
Circumstances Lost at sea, cause unknown
.
S/O Ellen Theresa (O'Shea) & William J Millican.
Wife was Sara Elizabeth (Stevens) Millican. (m May 1936)
Service # 0-062082
Rank Commander U.S. Navy
★ Purple Heart
★ Navy Cross with Gold Star
MILLICAN, William, Cdr, USN, Escolar SS-294, last reported October 17, 1944, presumed lost by November 27, 1944.
Navy Cross Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander William John Millican (NSN: 0-62082), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. THRESHER (SS-200), on the FOURTH, FIFTH, and SIXTH War Patrols of that submarine during the period 26 June 1942 to 10 January 1943, in an area entirely controlled by enemy Japanese air and naval forces. Although opposed by heavy enemy forces, Lieutenant Commander Millican pressed home his attacks with vigor and skillful determination and succeeded in sinking 26,000 tons of enemy shipping by accurate gunfire, in probably sinking 11,000 tons and in damaging another 11,000 tons without substantial damage to materiel or injury to the personnel of his command. The courageous devotion to duty of Lieutenant Commander Millican and the men under his command and their tenacious fighting spirit enabled the THRESHER to evade the enemy's vigorous countermeasures and complete an aggressive and successful mission.
General Orders: Commander Southern Pacific Forces: Serial 0140 (February 4, 1943)
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Navy Cross: Gold Star Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander William John Millican (NSN: 0-62082), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. THRESHER (SS-200), during operations in the Sunda Strait in the SIXTH War Patrol of that vessel during the period 5 January to 10 March 1943. Taking advantage of every favorable opportunity to strike at the enemy, Lieutenant Commander Millican daringly maneuvered his ship into position and attacked, sinking two enemy transports totaling 19,000 tons, a tanker of 7,000 tons, and damaging a third transport of 12,000 tons. By his expert seamanship and courageous initiative, he evaded hostile countermeasures and brought his ship through without damage. His gallant conduct throughout this period was a continuation of his illustrious record and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 0944 (May 30, 1943) & Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 321 (December 1943)
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Source material from multiple public domain websites.
Remembered by Buffalo (50696055)
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from New York.
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