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42 GENERALS OF THE ARMY AND THE AIR FORCE AND ADMIRALS OF THE NAVY

of neutralizing Japanese air power based on Mille and Jaluit Atolls, in the Marshalls, and to cover the operations of American Fleet and ground units in the Tarawa, Makin, and Apamama Area. She performed both tasks brilliantly. After the American hold on the Gilberts was assurred, the LEXINGTON, with other units of the invasion force, was dispatched northward to raid the centers of Japanese airpower on Kwajalein and Maleolap Atolls, in the Marshalls. Struck by a torpedo from an enemy plane on the night of December 4, 1943, she was forced to return to the United States for repairs returning to the war in the Pacific in February.

He is entitled to the ribbon for and a fascimile of the Presidential Unit Citation awarded the LEXINGTON, and personally was awarded the Silver Star Medal. The citation for the latter follows in part: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity...in action against enemy Japanese-held Tarawa, Apamama, Wake, Mille and Kwajalein, from September 18, to December 5, 1943...(he) engaged in sustained offensive operations against the enemy during the assault on these strategic Japanese bases in the Central Pacific Area, and when the LEXINGTON was hit and damaged by an enemy torpedo bomber on the night of December 4-5 he boldly fought off persistent aerial attacks for more than two hours  before he retired from the combat area.."

Relieved of command of the LEXINGTON in April 1944, he assumed command of Carrier Division TWENTY-FOUR on May 4, 1944. During that assignment he participated in the Hollandia, Aitape operations in May; in operations June-August 1944 which resulted in the capture of the Southern Marianas; in the amphibious landings of troops on the shore of Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands, in October of that year, turning back the enemy in the Battle off Samar Island; commanded six carriers which furnished air cover for two widely separated convoys and a covering group of battleships, cruisers and destroyers in connections with the amphibious occupation of Mindoro, Philippine Islands, in December 1944, and commanded six small carriers off Lingayen during the period of invasion of Luzon, P.I., in January 1945.

For his services in the above duties he was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V," the Navy Cross, a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross, and Gold Stars in lieu of the second and third Legion of Merit, each with Combat "V." The citations follow in part:

Legion of Merit: "For exceptionally meritorious conduct...as Commander of a Carrier Air Support Group, during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Marianas Islands from June 14 to August 1, 1944 ....(He) conducted well-coordinated bombing and strafing missions, anti-submarine and combat air patrols in support of the amphibious landing in this area. By his efficient organization and manipulation of escort carriers during their many aggressive missions, (he) contributed materially to the successful Marianas Campaign...."

Navy Cross: "For extraordinary heroism as Commander Task Unit 77.4.2, while those six Escort Carriers were engaged in furnishing aerial support to our Amphibious Attack Groups landing troops on the shores of Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands, from October 18 to 29, 1944. With his task unit under almost continuous attack by enemy aircraft and suicide dive bombers during the Battle off Samar Island on October 25, he continued to direct repeated aerial strikes against the Japanese fleet approaching Leyte Gulf and...contributed in large measure to the sinking of several hostile ships and the infliction of extensive and costly damage on numerous others....."

Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross: "For extraordinary heroism as Commander Task Unit 77.2.7 in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault and amphibious occupation of Mindoro, Philippine Islands, from December 12 to 17, 1944. Although the task of providing combat air patrol and anti-submarine patrol for convoys traversing the Mindanao and Sulu Seas was tremendous, due to an estimated six hundred hostile aircraft within easy striking distance and the possibility of attack by heavy enemy surface units, Rear Admiral Stump afforded excellent air cover for two widely separated convoys and a covering group of battleships, cruisers and destroyers, and in addition, located and launched destructive attacks against nearby Japanese airfields. In the course of these operations sixty-seven enemy planes were definitely destroyed and eleven probably destroyed with a loss of only eight of our planes...."

Gold Star in lieu of a second Legion of Merit: "For exceptionally meritorious conduct...as Escort Carrier Division of Commander and Escort Carrier Task Unit Commander in action against enemy Japanese forces at Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, April and May 1945. Actively participating in the planning and training of vital amphibious assault operations which he was later to command, (he) contributed immeasurably to the repeated success of his forces and to the consistent high standard of carrier-based operations....He led his carrier task unit as air support for ground forces in Okinawa in a total of 3,999 daring neutralization strikes, thereby inflicting extensive damage on vital enemy airfields, small craft and installations and destroying 52 airborne and 39 grounded craft...."

Gold Star in lieu of a third Legion of Merit: "For outstanding services during the invasion of Japanese-held Luzon, Philippine Islands, from January 1 to 17, 1945. Although only four of the six carriers under his command were available for flight commitments on January 4 and 5, (he) skillfully coordinated operations to meet a full schedule, directing his unit in inflicting exceedingly heavy damage upon the enemy in preparation for the invasion and after troops had landed. Planes from his unit of carriers destroyed many aircraft, tanks, trucks, and ships, contributing materially to the success of the operations...."

He is also entitled to the ribbon for and a facsimile of the Presidential Unit Citation awarded the USS NATOMA BAY, which was his flagship during this time.  

Returning to the United States in May 1945, he reported for duty as Chief of the Naval Air Technical
 
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FEBRUARY, 1955 ISSUE   43

Training Command and served in that capacity until December 1948, when he became Commander Air Force, Atlantic Fleet.

He assumed command of the Second Fleet on April 11, 1951. He was detached from this command June 30, 1953, upon receipt of orders designating him as relief for Admiral Arthur W. Radford, USN, as Commander in Chief Pacific and U.S. Pacific Fleet, with headquarters at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He relieved Admiral Radford on July 10, 1953. 

In addition to the Navy Cross with Gold Star, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star Medal, the Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars and Combat "V," and the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with two stars, Admiral Stump has the World War I Victory Medal; the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; the American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four engagement stars; the World War II Victory Medal; and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two bronze stars.

His official address, and that of his wife, is 518 Stanley Avenue, Clarksburg, West Virginia. He has two sons, Lt. (jg) John Morgan Stump and Felix B. Stump, Jr., and a daughter, Frances Stump.

Address: c/o Navy Department, Washington 25, D.C.


THEIMER, JOHN ELLIOTT, BRIG. GEN. USA (O17566)
NOTE: This biographical sketch supersedes the biographical sketch which appeared in GENERALS OF THE ARMY AND THE AIR FORCE in September 1954.

Born November 12, 1907, in Owatonna, Minnesota, and graduated from Pillsbury Academy there. After a year at Carleton College, he entered the United States Military Academy, from which he was graduated and commissioned a second lieutenant of Field Artillery, June 13, 1929.

He was assigned to "B" Battery, 18th Field Artillery, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In September 1933, he entered the Field Artillery School there, completed the battery officers' course in June 1934, and the advanced horsemanship course in June 1935.

In October 1935, General Theimer was transferred to the 24th Field Artillery at Fort Stotsenburg, Philippine Islands. He was assigned to the 84th Field Artillery at Fort Riley, Kansas, in January 1938, and in June 1939 he joined the Field Artillery Horse Show Team. He returned to Fort Sill in October 1939 where he served as executive of the Department of Animal Transportation, Field Artillery School, until July 1940; as a battalion commander, regimental supply officer, and battalion commander with the 18th Field Artillery until May 1942, and as a tactics instructor at the Field Artillery School until February 1943. He then became executive officer of the 112th Field Artillery Group at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

[[image – Photograph of Brig. Gen. John Elliott Theimer]]
[[photo credit]] U. S. Army Photograph [[/photo credit]]
[[caption]] BRIG. GEN. JOHN ELLIOTT THEIMER [[/caption]]

General Theimer assumed command of the 695th Armored Field Artillery Battalion in September 1943, and took that unit to Europe in February 1944. The following September he became executive officer of the 90th Division Artillery and in December 1944, was named commanding officer of the Fifth Field Artillery Group. He participated in the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes-Alsace, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns.

In January 1946, General Theimer was reassigned to the Field Artillery School as a gunnery instructor, and in May 1946, was named a gunnery instructor at the Amphibious Training Command of the Atlantic Fleet at Little Creek, Virginia. He entered the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Virginia, in January 1947, graduated the following June and was assigned to the Plans Branch, Organization and Training Division of the Army General Staff, and in June 1948, to Mobilization Branch of that division. After a brief tour as the Army National Security Council representative, he became chief of the International Branch of G-3 in February 1951. He entered the National War College in August 1951, and graduated in June 1952.

The following month, General Theimer was assigned with the Operations and training Division of the U.S. Army in Europe at Heidelberg, Germany, and in September 1952, organized the Combat Development Branch of that division. In December 1952, he was named artillery commander of the 28th Infantry Division of Germany, now known as the 9th Infantry Division Artillery.