Robert Edson Dornin

Robert Edson "Dusty" Dornin (December 30, 1912 – August 31, 1982 ) was a United States Navy officer who served in the Pacific Theater of World War II as a very successful submarine commander. He remained in the Navy until his retirement in 1965.

Pre-war Dornin entered the United States Naval Academy in 1931. He was an outstanding athlete on the basketball and lacrosse teams, but made his biggest mark in sports as a football end or wide receiver, though he is not mentioned in the 1935 College Football All-America Team or any prior 1930s teams). Both his teammates would also distinguish themselves in the coming war, with Cutter also making his mark as a submariner. Cutter would later recall that Dornin "studied all the time"; he graduated 48th out of 442 He was a lieutenant aboard the submarine from 1939 to 1941.

Post-war After Admiral King retired in December 1945, Dornin became Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz's aide.

Post-war postings include:

Decorations Navy Cross with gold star (two awards) Silver Star with three gold stars (four awards) Presidential Unit Citation American Defense Service Medal with Fleet clasp Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal National Defense Service Medal with star (two awards)

First Navy Cross citation (November 24, 1943) The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Robert Edson Dornin (NSN: 0-74888), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. TRIGGER (SS-237), on the SIXTH War Patrol of that submarine engaged in an aggressive and successful patrol against enemy Japanese in the Pacific War Area from 1 to 30 September 1943. Although operating in the presence of formidable concentrations of anti-submarine vessels, Commander Dornin pressed home a series of vigorous and persistent attacks which resulted in the sinking or damaging of an important amount of hostile shipping. Despite severe countermeasures on the part of the enemy, he brought his ship through and his crew home without material damage or loss of life. His expert seamanship and cool courage in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Second Navy Cross citation (February 18, 1944) The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Commander Robert Edson Dornin (NSN: 0-74888), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. TRIGGER (SS-237), on the SEVENTH War Patrol of that submarine in enemy controlled waters of the Pacific Area from 22 October 1943 to 8 December 1943. In a daring night engagement with a large, heavily escorted enemy convoy, Commander Dornin aggressively attacked and sank several Japanese ships before anti-submarine vessels forced him to submerge. Although subjected to a determined depth-charging by the enemy, he quickly regained the initiative and, fearlessly attacking the remaining ships, succeeded in sinking additional enemy vessels. Several days later, penetrating the destroyer screen of a heavily escorted Japanese convoy, he took further toll of hostile shipping. Commander Dornin's indomitable fighting spirit and superb seamanship reflect great credit upon himself, his command and the United States Naval Service.