Description

Gregory J. Azarigian, wearing military uniform, receives a medal in a tropical location. Technology Review, February 1945, p. 244. Original Credit Line: United States Navy, Seventh Fleet P.R.O.

Original Caption: "In ceremonies at an advanced PT bases somewhere in the Southwest Pacific on October 9th, 1944, Commander S. S. Bowling, Commander Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Sethenth Fleet, presents medals to PT crew members who distinguished themselves in service of their country. The medals were awarded by Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, USN, Commander Allied Forces, Southwest Pacific."

Original Caption: "Commander Bowling presents the Silver Star Medal to Lieut. (jg) J. Azarigian, 22, USNR, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Azarigian, 458 Fogewood Street, Hartford, Connecticut, 'for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action.' In broad daylight, with utter disregard for his own safety, and in the face of fire from enemy gun emplacements, which he first silenced by fire from his own boat, he swam ashore, towing a life raft, and rescued a Royal Australian Air Force Flight Officer. Lieut. Azarigian, in action against the enemy 28 times during 35 combat patrols, has participated in the the destruction of 18 Jap barges. A 1943 graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he was employed by the Hillings and Spence Co., Garford, Conn. until he received his commission in March 1943."

Original Caption: "In ceremonies at an advanced PT base somewhere in the southwest Pacific on October 9, Commander S. S. Bowling, commander, motor torpedo boat squadrons, Seventh Fleet, presented medals to PT crew members who have distinguished themselves in the service of their country. The medals were awarded by Vice-admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, commander of Allied forces in the southwest Pacific. In our photograph, Commander Bowling presents the Silver Star to Lieutenant (junior grade) G. J. Azarigian, '43, of Hartford, Conn., 'for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action. In broad daylight, with utter disregard for his own safety, and in the face of fire from enemy gun emplacements, which he first silenced by fire from his own boat, he swam ashore, towing a life raft, and rescued a Royal Australian Air Force flight officer.' Lieutenant Azarigian, in action against the enemy 28 times during 35 combat patrols, has participated in the destruction of 18 Japanese barges. His beaver class ring has traveled with him."