Roy Alexander Gano
Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy

Roy Alexander Gano was born on 3 December 1902 in Pipestone, MN.

Gano attended the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated in 1926. He returned to the Academy as a postgraduate student in 1934. He spent much of his early career at sea. He served first in the battleship USS Tennessee (BB-43), 1926-29, then was assigned to several destroyers: USS John D. Edwards (DD-216), 1929-30; USS Edsall (DD-219), 1930-31; USS MacLeish (DD-220), 1931-32; and as Engineer on board USS Dewey (DD-349), 1934-37.

From 1937-39, he served as Special Engineer, U.S. Navy Research Lab, Bellevue, WA. In 1941, he was assigned as Material Officer and Commander, Destroyer Battle Force.

World War II

Gano spent the first part of World War II in sea-going commands. He served as Material Officer and Commander, Task Force 8, Alaska, 1941-42; and Commander of the destroyer USS Dyson (DD-572), 1942-44, in Destroyer Squadron 23. The latter squadron, known as the "Little Beavers," covered the initial landings in Bougainville in November 1943, and fought in 22 separate engagements during the next four months. During this time, the Little Beavers were credited with destroying one Japanese cruiser, nine destroyers, one submarine, several smaller ships, and approximately 30 aircraft. Destroyer Squadron 23 earned a Presidential Unit Citation, which said in part:

For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Solomon Islands Campaign, from 1 November 1943 to February 23, 1944... Destroyer Squadron Twenty-three operated in daring defiance of repeated attacks by hostile air groups, closing the enemy's strongly fortified shores to carry out sustained bombardments against Japanese coastal defenses and render effective cover and fire support for the major invasion operations in this area ... The brilliant and heroic record achieved by Destroyer Squadron Twenty-three is a distinctive tribute to the valiant fighting spirit of the individual units in this indomitable combat group of each skilled and courageous ship's company...

Post-WWII

From 1944-46, he served as Assistant Director, U.S. Navy Communications for Administration, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, DC.

Gano served as Commander, Destroyer Squadron 5, also Destroyer Division 51, Japan-Korea area, 1946-48. He then returned to shore duty as Director of Recruiting, Bureau of Naval Personnel, 1948-50; then as Director, Enlisted Personnel Division, 1950-51.

Gano returned to sea in 1951 as Commander of the cruiser USS Saint Paul (CA-73), deployed to Korea, a command he held until 1952. He was then assigned as Chief of Staff and Aide to the Commander, Service Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 1952-54; Commander, Service Squadron 3, in the evacuation of refugees from Northern Indochina, 1954;

In 1954, Gano was promoted to Vice Admiral, and was assigned as Assistant Chief for Logistics, holding that position until 1955. He then served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration, Far East and U.N. Commands, 1955-56; Deputy Commander, Military Sea Transportation Service, 1956-58; Commander, Amphibious Group 2, 1958-59; and Commander, Military Sea Transportation Service, 1959-64.

Vice Admiral Gano retired from active duty in 1964.

Medals and Awards

Navy Cross (2 Awards)

Navy Distinguished Service Medal

Legion of Merit (2 Awards)

Bronze Star (2 Awards)

In Retirement

After retiring from the Navy, Gano served as Vice President of Moore-McCormack Lines, Washington, DC, 1964-71. He also served as President and Chairman of the Board of United Seamen's Service from 1961-71. In 1969, Gano was elected Chairman of the Board of Hamilton Bank