Biography
Simpson attended the University of Oregon for a year before entering the United States Naval Academy in June 1917. Midshipman Simpson served on the battleship Ohio (BB-12) which was based on the Atlantic Ocean and part of Atlantic Fleet during World War I. Simpson was commissioned an Ensign during June 1920, graduating in the class of 1921.
He commanded the destroyer Mahan (DD-364) as a Lieutenant Commander during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands on October 26, 1942. Promoted to Commander, he commanded Destroyer Division (DesDiv) 15, made up of the Sterett (DD-407), Stack (DD-406) and Lang (DD-399), which along with three ships of DesDiv 12 under Commander Frederick Moosbrugger, sank three Japanese destroyers and damaged one in the Battle of Vella Gulf, 6-August 7, 1943.
Simpson also served tours as Commander, Training Command, Marianas; Commander Fleet Training Group, Western Pacific; Commander, Underway Training Unit, Guam; Commanding Officer, Atlanta (CL-104); and Commanding Officer, Naval Station Treasure Island.
On April 6, 1944, Commodore Simpson commanded Task Flotilla 6. He orchestrated and planned the rescue of over 7,500 Allied prisoners of war and civilians interned in Japanese concentration camps.
In 1945 the Navy's Task Group 30.6 commanded by Commodore Simpson arrived in Tokyo Bay to undertake the emergency evacuation of Allied POWs in waterfront areas. Accompanying Simpson was Commander Harold E. Stassen, USNR, Flag Secretary to Commander, Third Fleet, and Admiral William F. Halsey.
For this rescue, he was honored with the Legion of Merit. The citation in part reads: "...by freeing the prisoners before the actual signing of the surrender, he saved the lives of hundreds of sick and starving U.S. service people..."
Simpson retired in 1951.
Read more about this topic: Rodger W. Simpson
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