FFG 28 | USS BOONE

FFG 28

Namesake:

Joel Thompson Boone

Joel Thompson Boone was born at St. Clair, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1889, he earned the Medal of Honor in World War I while serving as a Lieutenant in the Medical Corps, with the Marines at the vicinity of Vierzy, France, July 19, 1918.

He graduated from Mercersburg (Pennsylvania) Academy, 1909; received an M.D. degree at Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, 1913, with graduate study at the U.S. Navy Medical School, Washington, D.C., 1915. He married Helen Elizabeth Koch, June 20, 1914. He served as a Naval Medical Officer, 1914-50 and served on combat duty in Haiti, 1915-16, and France and Germany during World War I.

He was the physician to Presidents Harding, Coolidge and Hoover, 1922-33; staff commander, Base Force, U.S. Fleet, January-August 1940; Senior Medical Officer, Naval Air Station, San Diego, 1940-43; Commander, Naval Hospital, Seattle, Washington, 1943-45; Fleet Medical Officer, 3rd U.S. Fleet, 1945; District Medical Officer, 11th Naval District, 1946; Inspector of Medical Activities, Pacific Coast, also Inspector of Medical Activities, 1946; Executive Secretary, Commission in Medical and Hospital Services, Armed Forces, Chief, Joint Plans and Action, Medical Services, Office of the Secretary of Defense, 1948-50; Inspector General, Medical Department, 1950.

He retired from active duty as a Vice Admiral in 1950 and then served as Medical Director, Veterans Administration, 1951-55.

His decorations included the Medal of Honor; Distinguished Service Cross; Silver Star with two oak leaf clusters; the Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters; Bronze Star Medal with Combat V; Secretary of the Navy Commendation Medal; Defense Medal with Star; Haitian Campaign Medal; World War I Victory Medal with six battle clasps; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II; Croix de Guerre with two Palms, Officer of the Legion of Honor, Order of Fourragere (France); War Cross (Italy).

He resided in Washington, D.C., where he died on April 2, 1974.

He was buried in Section 11 of Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Helen Elizabeth Koch Boone (July 17, 1889-November 2, 1977), is buried with him.

Interesting notes: He was with President Warren G. Harding in San Francisco on August 2, 1923 when the President died of a massive stroke. He also attended to Calvin Coolidge, Jr., the son of the President, who died at Walter Reed Army Hospital on 7 July 1924. He was one of the physicians who operated on Secretary of Agriculture Henry C. Wallace for appendicitis and the removal of his gall bladder, and who subsequently died on October 25, 1924 at the United States Naval Hospital at Washington, D.C. In 1930, he treated Herbert Hoover, Jr., son of the President for Tuberculosis (he survived).

BOONE, JOEL THOMPSON Rank and organization: Lieutenant (Medical Corps), U.S. Navy. Place and date: Vicinity Vierzy, France, 19 July 1918. Entered service at: St. Clair, Pennsylvania. Born: 2 August 1889, St. Clair, Pennsylvania. Medal of Honor Citation: For extraordinary heroism, conspicuous gallantry, and intrepidity while serving with the 6th Regiment, U.S. Marines, in actual conflict with the enemy. With absolute disregard for personal safety, ever conscious and mindful of the suffering fallen, Surgeon Boone, leaving the shelter of a ravine, went forward onto the open field where there was no protection and despite the extreme enemy fire of all calibers, through a heavy mist of gas, applied dressings and first aid to wounded marines. This occurred southeast of Vierzy, near the cemetery, and on the road south from that town. When the dressings and supplies had been exhausted, he went through a heavy barrage of large-caliber shells, both high explosive and gas, to replenish these supplies, returning quickly with a sidecar load, and administered them in saving the lives of the wounded. A second trip, under the same conditions and for the same purpose, was made by Surgeon Boone later that day.

BOONE, JOEL THOMPSON Lieutenant (Medical Corps), U.S. Navy 6th Regiment (Marines)(Attached), 2d Division, A.E.F. Date of Action: June 9 - 10 & 25, 1918 Citation: The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Joel Thompson Boone, Lieutenant (Medical Corps), U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action in the Bois-de-Belleau, France, June 9-10 and 25, 1918. On two successive days the regimental aid station in which he was working was struck by heavy shells and in each case demolished. Ten men were killed and a number of wounded were badly hurt by falling timbers and stone. Under these harassing conditions this officer continued without cessation his treatment of the wounded, superintending their evacuation, and setting an inspiring example of heroism to the officers and men serving under him. On June 25, 1918, Surgeon Boone followed the attack by one battalion against enemy machine-gun positions in the Bois-de-Belleau, establishing advanced dressing stations under continuous shell fire.

Historical Notes:


Not yet available

Ship's Crest:

The Shield: At the chief, or upper portion of the shield, are the colors of the Distinguished Service Cross Ribbon, signifying the award of this medal to Vice Admiral Joel T. Boone while serving with the Second Army Division in France. The reversed gold star alludes to Admiral Boone's Medal of Honor, our country's highest award. The red cross, a symbol of medical service, bears a fleur-de-lis, referring to Admiral Boone's illustrious service in France. Oak, a symbol of strength, is formed into a wreath denoting honor and excellence. Medical officers of the Navy wear oak leaves. The six white stars represent Admiral Boone's Silver Star Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters.

The Crest: The eagle on a globe refers to the Marine Corps insignia and Admiral Boone's service and assignment with the Marine Corps. The eagle and U.S. shield also reflects Admiral Boone's service to three presidents and his later association with the Veterans Administration.

Motto: The scroll, its colors alluding to the first navy jack, bears the motto of that flag. The phrase, "Don't Tread on Me," reminds us of the American Revolution and also sets the standard for the traditional rules of engagement of the United States Navy. It serves as fair warning to potential enemies of the lethality of a warship and the U.S. Navy's propensity to prevail in battle against forces of apparently superior advantage.

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