Military Experiences and Citations - Floyd Huston Matthews
For those of you who appreciate our nations history, the following section is some of the special assignments and commendations that Floyd Matthews received during his tour in World War II.
There are many soldiers, sailors, marines, air force, and special operations people in our families. It would be wonderful to be able to include their special duties, during which they protected this great nation of ours. Here in this section of the website you can do just that. The reports you might send would have to be currently unclassified information, of course, whether the special operations came from Korea, Viet Nam or the more recent ‘conflicts’ our countries have had. Please send these courageous stories to me so we can honor our brave family members here in this family history book.
There are many soldiers, sailors, marines, air force, and special operations people in our families. It would be wonderful to be able to include their special duties, during which they protected this great nation of ours. Here in this section of the website you can do just that. The reports you might send would have to be currently unclassified information, of course, whether the special operations came from Korea, Viet Nam or the more recent ‘conflicts’ our countries have had. Please send these courageous stories to me so we can honor our brave family members here in this family history book.
SUBMARINE DUTY
Floyd Matthews pioneered in the development ad operation of submarine rescue and salvage methods while assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Experimental Unit on board the submarine USS S-4, an experimental submarine. The unit, all volunteers, consisted of eight rating and three officers. After the escape devices were adopted we served as instructors in submarine escape training, using the devices we designed and developed. This was in the year 1928.
Floyd Matthews was a members of the submarine rescue and salvage group on-board the Submarine Rescue Vessel USS Falcon during the rescue of thirty seven personnel from the sunken submarine USS Squalus that plunged to the bottom of the sea in 240 feet of water off the New England coast. Twenty seven men perished in the flooded engine room of the submarine. This was in the year 1939.
Floyd Matthews served as Executive Officer and Navigator of the USS Diver, a rescue and salvage vessel during the build-up and invasion of Europe. The Diver took part in the landings on Omaha and Utah Beaches and later helped clear Cherbourg Harbor so ships could enter and off-load war material. This was during the years 1943, 1944 and 1945. Floyd Matthews served as Commanding Officer of the USS ATR-59, an auxiliary rescue and towing ship during 1944 and 1945.
Floyd Matthews served as Commanding Officer of the USS Chickasaw, one of the Navy’s large Fleet Tugs. During his command of the Chickasaw, it was chosen to perform an experimental towing exercise in which a battleship, heavy cruiser, cargo ship and a destroyer were towed, in tandem, and was considered a tow record for a single tug at that time. The year was 1946
Floyd Matthews served as Commanding Officer of the USS Chickasaw during the time she was assigned to Joint Task Force One, the two atom bomb tests in Bikini Atoll. The Chickasaw was support ship for the Salvage Unit and was chosen as security vessel for the entire task force. She placed the largest target ships in their moorings, as well as placing the ship from which the underwater shot was lowered 90 feet and detonated. The year was 1946.
Floyd Matthews commanded Task Unit 1.16, a towing exercise of three units from Pearl Harbor to Portland, Oregon. He arrived with his tows Christmas, 1945.
Floyd Matthews received emergency orders to rendezvous with a tug at sea with a heavy tow, having steering trouble and low on fuel oil. They located the tug, took her in tow and transferred 35,000 gallons of fuel just in time to avoid a serious accident. It was an unusual and dangerous operation, probably the first of its kind. The year was 1947.
Floyd Matthews pioneered in the development ad operation of submarine rescue and salvage methods while assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Experimental Unit on board the submarine USS S-4, an experimental submarine. The unit, all volunteers, consisted of eight rating and three officers. After the escape devices were adopted we served as instructors in submarine escape training, using the devices we designed and developed. This was in the year 1928.
Floyd Matthews was a members of the submarine rescue and salvage group on-board the Submarine Rescue Vessel USS Falcon during the rescue of thirty seven personnel from the sunken submarine USS Squalus that plunged to the bottom of the sea in 240 feet of water off the New England coast. Twenty seven men perished in the flooded engine room of the submarine. This was in the year 1939.
Floyd Matthews served as Executive Officer and Navigator of the USS Diver, a rescue and salvage vessel during the build-up and invasion of Europe. The Diver took part in the landings on Omaha and Utah Beaches and later helped clear Cherbourg Harbor so ships could enter and off-load war material. This was during the years 1943, 1944 and 1945. Floyd Matthews served as Commanding Officer of the USS ATR-59, an auxiliary rescue and towing ship during 1944 and 1945.
Floyd Matthews served as Commanding Officer of the USS Chickasaw, one of the Navy’s large Fleet Tugs. During his command of the Chickasaw, it was chosen to perform an experimental towing exercise in which a battleship, heavy cruiser, cargo ship and a destroyer were towed, in tandem, and was considered a tow record for a single tug at that time. The year was 1946
Floyd Matthews served as Commanding Officer of the USS Chickasaw during the time she was assigned to Joint Task Force One, the two atom bomb tests in Bikini Atoll. The Chickasaw was support ship for the Salvage Unit and was chosen as security vessel for the entire task force. She placed the largest target ships in their moorings, as well as placing the ship from which the underwater shot was lowered 90 feet and detonated. The year was 1946.
Floyd Matthews commanded Task Unit 1.16, a towing exercise of three units from Pearl Harbor to Portland, Oregon. He arrived with his tows Christmas, 1945.
Floyd Matthews received emergency orders to rendezvous with a tug at sea with a heavy tow, having steering trouble and low on fuel oil. They located the tug, took her in tow and transferred 35,000 gallons of fuel just in time to avoid a serious accident. It was an unusual and dangerous operation, probably the first of its kind. The year was 1947.
MILITARY CITATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
BUREAU OF NAVAL PERSONNEL
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
IN REPLY REFER TO
PERS-UP
11901
Lieutenant Commander Floyd H. Matthew, USN, (Ret.)
c/o Commandant, EIGHTH Naval District
New Federal Building
New Orleans 12, Louisiana
Dear Commander Matthews:
The Chief of Naval Personnel takes pleasure in congratulating you on your completion of more than thirty Years honorable service and your transfer to the retires list. During your long naval career you have contributed greatly to the efficiency and morale of the Navy, and I desire to express the appreciation of the Navy Department for your faithful and honorable service. The part you have contributed to the Navy’s advancement should be a source of complete satisfaction for a job well done.
Sincerely yours,
J. W. ROPER
Rear Admiral, USN
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
BUREAU OF NAVAL PERSONNEL
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
IN REPLY REFER TO
PERS-UP
11901
Lieutenant Commander Floyd H. Matthew, USN, (Ret.)
c/o Commandant, EIGHTH Naval District
New Federal Building
New Orleans 12, Louisiana
Dear Commander Matthews:
The Chief of Naval Personnel takes pleasure in congratulating you on your completion of more than thirty Years honorable service and your transfer to the retires list. During your long naval career you have contributed greatly to the efficiency and morale of the Navy, and I desire to express the appreciation of the Navy Department for your faithful and honorable service. The part you have contributed to the Navy’s advancement should be a source of complete satisfaction for a job well done.
Sincerely yours,
J. W. ROPER
Rear Admiral, USN
U. S. S ARKANSAS
BB33/P20—1
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
20 April, 1946
From: Commander Battleship Division Seven.
To: Commander Service Force Pacific Fleet
Subject: Lt. Comdr. Floyd H. Matthews, U.S.N. (9892) C.O.
U.S.S. CHICKASAW, ATF-83, letter report of fitness
for period 21-30 April, 1946
Reference: (a) U. S. Navy Regulations, 1920, Article 137
(11) (e)
1. Lt. Comdr. Matthews served under my command during the subject
Period while his ship took part in a special towing exercise at sea ordered by Commander Joint
Task Force One. This was an unusual exercise in which a battleship, heavy cruiser,
Transport and destroyer, connected to each other in that order, were then tow3ed in tandem by
A fleet tug.
Lt. Comdr Matthews; performance of duty was excellent. He handled His ship in a skillful and seaman like way. His ship proved able to move in a manner exceeding expectations.
Commander Battleship Division Seven was, furthermore, favorably impressed, through personnel contact, by Lt. Comdr Matthews’ officer like demeanor, interest and Loyalty throughout the subject period. Lt. Comdr Matthew’ expressed the wish that his ship be one of the towing vessels for whatever test is decided upon for 1947.
Copy to:Bupers
CNTCJFT1 Wade DeWeese