AMERICAN ADMIRAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25798, 20 March 1945, Page 4

AMERICAN ADMIRAL

SHORT VISIT TO . DOMINION (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Mar. 19.

Rear-admiral Paul Hendren, of the United States Navy, holder of the British D. 5.0.. and a former commanding officer of the cruiser Philadelphia, is paying his first visit to New Zealand. The admiral is commander of a United States service squadron in the South Pacific, and will spend 10 days in the Dominion on navy business.

Before his transfer to the Pacific in September last Admiral Hendren was in the thick of the fighting in the Mediterranean theatre, as commander of Philadelphia during the North African campaign and the invasions of Sicily and Italy. During that period the cruiser was subjected to over 50 air raids, but did not suffer a single casualty, though she was twice reported sunk by the German radio. Fifty-five years of age. Admiral Hendren was awarded the D.S.O. for gunfire support rendered to the Allied forces from July 9 to 12. 1943. during the final conquest of Sicily. He also has the Legion of Merit gold star, in lieu of the Second Legion of Merit, and the Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of the Third Legion of Merit. Admiral Hendren is travelling to Wellington via Rotorua and Taupo. and also plans to visit the South Island.