1. Vice Admiral Morton Lyndholm Deyo was an officer in the United States Navy, who was a naval gunfire support task force commander of World War II.
21 Facts About Morton Deyo
1. 2.
Morton Deyo was awarded three medals of personal honor, the Distinguished Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit with Gold Star.
3.
Morton Deyo later commanded naval gunfire support at Utah Beach in the Normandy invasion, Task Force 129 at the bombardment of Cherbourg, as well as during the invasion of Southern France.
4.
When transferred to the Pacific, Rear Admiral Deyo assumed command of Cruiser Division 13.
5.
Morton Deyo commanded gunfire and covering force for the assault and occupation of Battle of Okinawa.
6.
Morton Deyo graduated as a member of the Class of 1911.
7.
Morton Deyo sailed to Tampico, Mexico and later supported the US occupation of Vera Cruz.
8.
Morton Deyo was assigned the year after Rear Admiral Albert Gleaves, then Commander, Destroyer Force, Atlantic Fleet, became Commander of United States Convoy Operations in the Atlantic in addition to his other duties.
9.
Morton Deyo was next transferred to the troopship Northern Pacific as a part of its regular USN officer complement.
10.
Now a lieutenant commander, Morton Deyo was the most junior officer as flag lieutenant.
11.
Morton Deyo was appointed during the tenure of Superintendent Rear Admiral Louis M Nulton and completed his tour under Rear Admiral Samuel S Robison with whom he had served in the Dominican Republic.
12.
Morton Deyo's group was tasked to escort 44 merchant ships ranging from a luxury liner to a rusty ship of the Levant.
13.
Morton Deyo then proceeded with the American destroyers to Iceland with three American merchantmen and one Icelandic.
14.
On 6 June 1944, now Rear Admiral Morton Deyo commanded the western Operation Neptune Force "U", supporting the landing of the American First Army at Utah and Omaha beaches during the Normandy landings.
15.
Morton Deyo commanded the naval bombardment for the invasion of Southern France in August 1944 and received Legion of Honour, Officer by the Government of France.
16.
Admiral Morton Deyo's crowning achievement in the Pacific was command of gunfire and covering force for the assault and occupation of Okinawa.
17.
Rear Admiral Deyo took over Cruiser Division 13 from Rear Admiral Laurance T DuBose.
18.
Morton Deyo commanded battleships, cruisers and destroyers in the bombardment of Kerama Retto and the southeast coast of Okinawa, Japan.
19.
Morton Deyo met the new qualification for district commandant, and had served at Boston twice before as an instructor and aide to the commandant during a time of reorganization.
20.
Morton Deyo retired at the end of his tour with a promotion to vice admiral.
21.
Admiral Morton Deyo died November 10,1973, at his home in Kittery Point, Maine.