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Robert H. Rice

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Robert Henry Rice
Midshipman Robert H. Rice
Born(1903-11-17)November 17, 1903
Pittsfield, Massachusetts, US
DiedMay 20, 1994(1994-05-20) (aged 90)
Brattleboro, Vermont, US
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
Years of service1927–1957
RankVice Admiral
CommandsUSS S-30 (SS-135)
USS S-24 (SS-129)
USS Sequoia
USS Drum (SS-228)
USS Paddle[1]
USS New Jersey (BB-62)[2]
Battles / warsWorld War II
Awards Navy Cross (2)[3][4]
Bronze Star
Alma materUnited States Naval Academy
Spouse(s)Eunice Willson
RelationsCAPT Herbert P. Rice (Brother)[5]
ADM Russell Willson (father-in-law)[6]

Robert Henry Rice (17 Sep 1903 – 20 May 1994), was an American submarine commander during World War II who was awarded the Navy Cross twice. He reached the rank of Vice Admiral in the United States Navy.[7][8][9][10][11]

Early life and education

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Robert Henry Rice was born on September 17, 1903, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He spent his early years in Pittsfield, where he attended local schools. In 1922, Rice graduated from the Hoosac School in Hoosick, New York.[12] Following his graduation from Hoosac School, Rice received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He entered the Academy in 1923 from Missouri, graduated in 1927, and earned his commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy.

Early naval career

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Ensign Robert Henry Rice's first assignment after graduating from the Naval Academy was aboard the battleship USS Texas (BB-35).[13] In 1930, Rice was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) and was transferred to the heavy cruiser USS Pittsburgh.[14] The following year, LTJG Rice was transferred to the gunboat USS Luzon (PG-47), where he performed patrols along the Yangtze River in China in 1931 and 1932.[15]

In 1933, Rice was ordered to Naval Submarine Base New London, to be qualified as a submarine officer.[16] He was subsequently assigned to S-12.[17] In 1935, Rice was sent back to the United States Naval Academy for additional training to command submarines, and the following year assigned to USS S-34.[18] In 1937, Rice was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and was given command of the submarine S-30.[19] He held that command until 1940, when he was transferred to command the Secretary of the Navy's yacht, the USS Sequoia.[20]

World War II

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Lt. Cmdr. Robert Rice, took command of the USS Drum (SS-228) of November 1st, 1941 at her commissioning. Rice and his crew conducted her shakedown from her commissioning until the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7th.[21]

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Throughout his career, Robert Henry Rice received several prestigious awards, including the following two Navy Cross citations:

First Navy Cross

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Robert Henry Rice (NSN: 0-61242), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. DRUM (SS-228), on the FIRST War Patrol of that submarine during the period 17 April 1942 to 12 June 1942, in enemy controlled waters in close proximity to the enemy homeland coast. There, despite strong enemy anti-submarine measures and many navigational dangers, Lieutenant Commander Rice coolly and resolutely pressed home every favorable attack opportunity and succeeded in penetrating a screen to sink one enemy seaplane carrier of 9,000 tons, and three merchant ships totaling 15,000 tons. After three of these attacks, his submarine was the target for prolonged attacks by the enemy through which he brought his ship and personnel unscathed. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[3]


Second Navy Cross

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 Robert Henry Rice (NSN: 0-61242), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. DRUM (SS-228), on the THIRD War Patrol of that submarine during the period 23 September 1942 to 8 November 1942, in enemy controlled waters of the Pacific War Area. Lieutenant Commander Rice distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against armed enemy forces and by his skill, courage and determination succeeded in sinking 19,539 tons and inflicting damage upon one freighter of 6,700 tons. Despite the activity of numerous patrol craft engaged in anti-submarine measures in his area, he maneuvered his ship in such an expert manner that he brought it through without damage and his crew home without loss or injury. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Submarine Commanders". www.fleetorganization.com.
  2. ^ "Battleship Photo Index BB-62 USS NEW JERSEY". NavSource Naval History. 1940-09-16. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  3. ^ a b "Robert Henry Rice - Navy Cross Citation". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  4. ^ a b "Robert Henry Rice - Second Navy Cross Citation". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  5. ^ "HERBERT RICE, NAVY CAPTAIN, TEACHER, DIES". www.washingtonpost.com.
  6. ^ Blair, Clay (1975). Silent Victory: The U.S. Submarine War Against Japan (First ed.). Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott. p. 227. ISBN 0-397-00753-1. Retrieved 28 July 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  7. ^ "Military Hall of Honor | Your online source to identify and honor every man and woman, dead or alive, that has honorably served, or is serving, in the US Armed Forces from 1775 to present". MilitaryHallofHonor.com. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  8. ^ Sun, Baltimore. "Adm. Robert RiceIntelligence deputyAdm. Robert H. Rice,..." baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  9. ^ "Robert Rice - Recipient - Military Times Hall Of Valor". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  10. ^ Walter R. Borneman (1 May 2012). The Admirals: Nimitz, Halsey, Leahy, and King--The Five-Star Admirals Who Won the War at Sea. Little, Brown. pp. 312–. ISBN 978-0-316-20252-7.
  11. ^ Anthony Newpower (2006). Iron Men and Tin Fish: The Race to Build a Better Torpedo During World War II. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 69–. ISBN 978-0-275-99032-9.
  12. ^ "Robert Henry Rice - Military Hall of Honor". Military Hall of Honor. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  13. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. United States Government Printing Office. 1928. p. 166.
  14. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. United States Government Printing Office. 1930. p. 156.
  15. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. United States Government Printing Office. 1931. p. 152.
  16. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. United States Government Printing Office. 1933. p. 154.
  17. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. United States Government Printing Office. 1934. p. 150.
  18. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. United States Government Printing Office. 1936. p. 142.
  19. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. United States Government Printing Office. 1937. p. 136.
  20. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. United States Government Printing Office. 1939. p. 128.
  21. ^ "USS Drum (SS-228)". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 2024-07-28.


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