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 Worthington Smith Bitler, Commander "Worthy" USS Salt Lake City CA25 Nov. 3rd, 1942- Dec. of 1943 |
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Worthington Smith Bitler, Commander "Worthy" USS Salt Lake City CA25 Nov. 3rd, 1942- Dec. of 1943 |
USS SLC...Officer...Worthington Smith Bitler, Commander
Worthington S. Bitler passed away on Apr. 4th, 1987 and is buried at the St Paul's Church
in Ivy, VA. Information from tombstone picture sent in by Bob Alderman, CDR, SC, USN (Ret.)
Nov. 1st, 1943 Roster of Officers Restricted Records: Duty: Executive Officer, Assistant Morale - Pub. Rel. Off. Battle Station: Secondary Control Worthy designed the Escutcheon for the USS SALT LAKE CITY CA25 Information found in "The Salt Shaker" Sunday Supplement, April 16th, 1944: Commander Worthington S. Bitler, USN, Honolulu, T.H." As executive officer of a heavy cruiser during action against a Japanese task force twice the size of his own, he performed his duties while exposed to intense gunfire from two Jap heavy cruisers. His courage was an inspiration to his men. (March 26th, 1943, off Komandorski Islands). |
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#2 in Officers, Mare Island Navy Yard, April 1943 #2 in Officers, 1943-44 Picture with Capt. Rodgers & Commdr. Lambert My Speed Zero...Komandorski Battle Received the Silver Star #5 in picture of Burial Services for Gale & David |
Tidbits from 1944 Saltshaker Close Call in the Aleutians Time Magazine, March 8, 1943 Officers "after" the Komandorski Battle SLC Deck Log Officer's List SLC Deck Logs Nov. 1942 Dec. 1942 Aug. 1943 Dec. 1943 |
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Commander Worthingon S. Bitler, U. S. NAVY, for service as set forth in the following Citation is awared the Silver Star Medal.
"For gallantry and intrepidity during the battle off the _______ on _______, when the Task Group of which his ship was a part engaged a superior enemy _______force twice its size, for a period of three hours and twenty-five minutes. Throughout the engagement, Commander Bitler as Executive Officer of a heavy cruiser proceeded from one damage area to another, in utter disregard of his own safety, and continuously supervised the progress of damage control. His calm attitude, his wide knowledge of damage control procedures and methods, absolute fearlessness and disregard of his own safety were a source of strength and confidence to all with whom he came in contact; and his reports to the Commanding Officer during the action, on the extent of damage and condition of the ship greatly assisted the Commanding Officer in making decisions and in fighting his ship. His conduct was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the naval service." s/ T. C. Kinkaid, Vice Admiral, U. S. Navy Temporary Citation |
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Worthington "Worthy" Smith Bitler and his nurse, R. Sandra Walsh-June 9th, 1978 |
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My aunt R. Sandra Walsh passed away last December[2002]... and as I was going through her things, I ran across a note from R. Admiral Bitler and his wife Dee to my aunt inside a purse that I believe was their gift to my aunt for tending to him. (She was a nurse in the Philadelphia area.) Out of curiosity, I "googled" the web and came across your website.
The picture was taken June 9, 1978 as the admiral was recovering from eye surgery. I don't know for sure which hospital she was working in at the time the photo was taken because she was a terrible record keeper; however, I'm pretty sure it was in Philadelphia or the Philadelphia area. I've attached scans of the photo and the note card and envelope. I hope they come through okay.... My hope is that even if this information isn't worthy of including on the website (no pun intended), it may help you in your search for where to look for additional information that you might not have had previously. Barbara Prinsen |
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Worthington "Worthy" Smith Bitler Tombstone at the St. Paul's Church Cemetery in Ivy, VA. |
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The address of this page is bitler.htm
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