Rear Admiral George DeMetropolis
Photo provided by Jan DeMetropolis on her late father-in-law, George DeMetropolis (1909-1968)
Rear Admiral George DeMetropolis
The following information was provided by Jan DeMetropolis on her late father-in law, George DeMetropolis (1909-1968)
Rear Admiral George DeMetropolis:
"Before assuming command of the USS Pringle in Sept. of 1943,
George DeMetropolis served as Assistant Damage Control Officer
and Assistant First Lieutenant from March 1941 to April 1943
aboard the Battleship USS North Carolina. According to a biography
I have from the Navy Biographies Branch dated 5 June 1957 the
chronological transcript of service lists service on the USS Pringle
as Commanding Officer from April 1943 to June 1944."
Jan DeMetropolis
Lieut. George DeMetropolis ~ Wedding Announcement in 'Tarheel'
(USS North Carolina newsletter)
The following information was provided by Jan DeMetropolis on her late father-in-law, Captain George DeMetropolis (1909-1968)
Bronze Star Medal: “For meritorious service as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. PRINGLE, during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago from October 1943, to March 1944 … (He) efficiently commanded his ship in the initial landings on Treasury, Green and Emirau Islands, assisted in screening eight echelons to Bougainville and carried out many barge sweeps which resulted in the destruction of several hostile barges loaded with supplies and personnel …”
Gold Star in lieu of the Second Bronze Star Medal: For meritorious achievement as Navigator of the USS Pringle, serving as Flagship for a Mining Detachment, during mine laying and bombardment operations against enemy Japanese forces on Kolombangara, Shortland and Bougainville, British Solomon Islands, on the night of June 29, 1943. Operating in poorly charted waters near reefs surrounding enemy held shores, … (He) skillfully navigated his ship, leading the minelayers throughout the hazardous mission. His seamanship, courage and devotion to duty were important factors in the successful mining of waters used extensively by enemy vessels...”
Gold Star in lieu of the Third Bronze Star Medal: “For meritorious service as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. WALLACE L. LIND during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Western Pacific War Area from January 5 to May 15th, 1945 … (He) led his command in widespread actions against the enemy from Luzon, the Indo China Coast and Formosa to Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the Japanese Home Islands. Repeatedly subjected to fierce hostile air attacks while operating with a Fast Carrier Task Force, the WALLACE L. LIND individually destroyed two enemy aircraft and aided in the destruction of many other Japanese planes attacking the formation …”
CHRONOLOGICAL TRANSCRIPT OF SERVICE:
Jun 1931 Aug 1933: USS TEXAS (Engineering and Gunnery)
Aug 1933 Jun 1934: USS FULTON (First Lieutenant)
Jul 1934 Aug 1936: USS J.D. EDWARDS (Gunnery Officer, First Lieutenant)
Dec 1936 Jun 1938: USS DENT (Gunnery Officer, First Lieutenant)
Jul 1938 Mar 1941: Third Naval District and Navy Yard (Aide to Commandant and Assistant Shop Superintendent)
Mar 1941 Apr 1943: USS NORTH CAROLINA (Assistant Damage Control Officer, Assistant First Lieutenant)
Apr 1943 Jun 1944: USS PRINGLE (Commanding Officer)
Aug 1944 Aug 1946: USS WALLACE L. LIND (Commanding Officer)
Aug 1946 June 1947: Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit, Columbia University, New York (Executive Officer)
Jul 1947 Jun 1950: US Naval Mission to Greece (Fuel and Cargo Officer)
Jun 1950 Dec 1952: Third Naval District, (Director of Distribution, later Director of Naval Personnel)
Dec 1952 Jul 1954: USS WRANGELL (Commanding Officer)
Captain George DeMetropolis
United States Navy
The following information was provided by Jan DeMetropolis on her late father-in-law, George DeMetropolis (1909-1968)
Personal Data:
Born: New York, New York, April 5, 1909
Parents: John and Helen (Gararis) DeMetropolis
Wife’s Name and Date of Marriage: Maria Clarke, October 25, 1951
Children: Angelica, June 1947, George John 1952, Lillian Helen DeMetropolis
Official Address: 148 East 18th Street, New York, New York
Education: Dewitt Clinton High School, New York City; U.S.
Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland (BS, 1931);
Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island (1956)
Promotions:
Commissioned Ensign, June 4, 1931
Lieutenant (jr), June 4, 1934
Lieutenant, July 1, 1939
Lieutenant Commander, June 15, 1942
Commander, November 1, 1942
Captain, February 1, 1953
Decorations and Medals:
Bronze Star Medal with two Gold Stars, all with Combat “V”
American Defense Service Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Silver Stars (ten engagements)
World War II Victory Medal
Navy Occupation Service Medal, Europe and Asia Clasps
National Defense Service Medal
Philippine Liberation Ribbon, one Star
Royal Order of George I, rank of Commander, from the government of Greece
Another Photo of the same men taken with their hats on
Captain George DeMetropolis
Photo provided by his son, George
LTJG George DeMetropolis
Photo provided by Jan DeMetropolis on her late father-in-law, George DeMetropolis (1909-1968)
CDR George DeMetropolis and his Officers
Submitted by Dan Wander, son of Ltjg Robert Peter Wander (survivor)
If you can help identify anyone in this photo or have more information about it, please contact us.
Identified in this photo:
Seated, fourth from the left ~ CDR George DeMetropolis
Standing, second from the left ~ Lt jg Robert Peter Wander
Standing, fifth from the left ~ Lt. George Gilmer Craddock, Jr.
Middle row, extreme right ~ Lt. jg Benjamin Evans Jasper