Captain Bolger Awards Medal to Eli Benjamin

Object NamePhotograph

Pictured Joseph F. Bolger

Association USS Intrepid (CV/CVA/CVS-11)

Historic Owner Eli Benjamin

DateDecember 11, 1944

PeriodWorld War II

Mediumphotographic paper

ClassificationsCommunication Artifacts

Credit LineCollection of the Intrepid Museum. P00.2012.01.89

Object numberP00.2012.01.89

DescriptionPhotograph, Black and white; Horizontal image of Joseph Bolger, commanding officer of USS Intrepid, awarding a medal to Eli Benjamin for bravery during a kamikaze attack. Benjamin, who has dark skin, was a steward's mate who served in Gun Tub 10. Bolger, who has light skin, is pinning the medal on Benjamin's jumper. Bolger is wearing a khaki uniform while Benjamin is in dress whites with a "Dixie cup" hat. Other sailors in white are visible in the background on the right side of the image.

The medal appears to be the Purple Heart, based on the stripe pattern of the ribbon. The photograph appeared in Intrepid's newspaper in March 1945 with the caption, "Capt. J. F. Bolger awarding Navy Cross to StM 1c Eli Benjamin on 11 December."

Caption on reverse "80-G-389939 11 DEC. 1944 CAPT. JOE BOLGER // PRESENTS AWARDS TO THE CREW. SHOWN IS // ONE OF 8 SURVIVORS OF TUB #10."
In right hand reverse corner is stamped "CREDIT NATIONAL ARCHIVES" underneath handwritten is "80-G-389939." In right hand reverse corner is handwritten note "11 Dec. 1944 // Our Capt. Joe Bolger // presenting the awards // to the crew. This is // one of the eight stewards // mates in Tub # 10 injured."

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