Hal was at
Pearl Harbor Decembr 7,1941,
assigned to the USS San Francisco CA38,
on which he served from 1939 to 1942. He
went to boot camp and Sub School in
Newport, Rhode Island. He later
served aboard
Motor Torpedo Boats from 1942 to
1945 assigned to Squadron 18, then known
as "ACES AVENGERS".
Hal acquired the nickname "DOGGIE"
who can imagine how that happened.!
He participated in the Guadalcanal
Campaign, including Tulagi and Cape
Esperance, then Bouganville in the
Solomon Islands and the Salamaue
Lae Raids in New Guinea Waters.
Hal was awarded the Silver Star for
extraordinary heroism under fire, above
and beyond the call of duty, during the
rescue of a Navy Fighter Pilot shot down
in the bay at Halamera Island off the
coast of eastern New Guinea.
After a rescue attempt by aircraft
was driven back by intense hostile
anti-aircraft fire, the two Torpedo
Boats were assigned the rescue attempt.
Although the two Torpedo Boats were
twice driven back by intense fire from
numerous coast defense guns lining an 11
mile strait at the entrance to the bay,
they finally succeeded in reaching their
objective and rescuing the pilot. Hal
Merowitz rendered cool and courages
service during the two and one half-hour
operation despite fierce Japanese fire,
which harrassed the gallant crews
throughout the operation. His conduct
reflected the highest credit upon
himself and the
United States Naval Service.
During his very active career in the
US NAVY he accumulated 17 battle stars,
assisted in shooting down 15 Japanese
planes and during the war traveled
298,000 miles.
In 1946 after the war was over Hal
decided he had so much fun in the Navy
he joined the US MARINE CORPS for a
tour. This is a pretty extraordinary guy
and we're glad he came on board PHSA
River City Chapter Six,
Sacramento California.
