Named WWII US Navy Good Conduct Medal 1942 - PTO - Destroyer USS Hughes DD-410

Description

Named WWII US Navy Good Conduct Medal
w/ Second Award Bar Pin
PAUL P. KUNEL
1942
KUNEL served in the Navy from 1938 to 1958
Kunel served on the
Sims-class destroyer USS Hughes (DD-410) from 1939 to 1944 as Fire Controlman
The USS Hughes has an
extensive and illustrious combat history,
protecting some of the most famous aircraft carriers of the war in the Pacific!
-See Pics for Details-
**Comes with a few pages of Research from NARA and Online**
Ship's Service History:
Kunel joined the USS Hughes when she was commissioned at Boston Navy Yard, on 21 September 1939.  Following shakedown in the Gulf of Mexico, the Hughes joined the Atlantic Fleet. During this time, she became the first American destroyer to escort a British convoy all the way to England.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, warships were urgently needed in the Pacific. The Hughes joined the carrier striking force built around carrier Yorktown. She screened the carrier in strikes on Jaluit, Makin, Mili, and Canton Islands, then supported the combined Lexington–Yorktown Task Force 17. Hughes reached Pearl Harbor in time to participate in the Battle of Midway.
The Hughes, while protecting Yorktown during this action, shot down two torpedo planes and assisted in shooting down two others. After Yorktown was hit on 4 June, Hughes continued an all-night vigil to prevent her capture. When the carrier was torpedoed by a submarine on 6 June, Hughes helped damage the attacker with depth charges, and rescued the survivors when Yorktown sank the next day.
At Guadalcanal, the Hughes screened Hornet throughout the campaign. The Hughes participated in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal by screening Enterprise. Hughes continued screening operations until the end of February 1943.
Following a refit and brief convoy duty, the Hughes was sent to the Aleutian Island, bombarding Kiska from 6–22 July were high points of her months in northern waters.
To prepare for the invasion of the Gilbert Islands, the Hughes sailed on 10 November as part of the screen for the escort carriers covering the invasion of Makin Atoll. When Liscome Bay was sunk on 24 November, Hughes rescued 152 of the survivors.  The Hughes joined TF 53 for the invasion of the Marshall Islands. The destroyer continued to support the escort carriers during the strikes against Palaus on 31 March.
Hughes took part in the invasion of Hollandia, New Guinea on 23 April, acting as a screen for the escort carrier group which provided air cover for the landings at Aitape and Tanahmerah Bay. The Hughes also participated in the invasions of Biak, Noemfoor, Cape Sensapor, and Morotai, serving as flagship of Rear Admiral William M. Fechteler during the latter campaign.