TFH 7/9: LCDR William H. Brockman, Jr., USN

William Herman Brockman, Jr. was born on November 18, 1904 in Baltimore, Maryland. He enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve in 1922 and received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy the following year. He graduated with the class of 1927 and received his commission as an Ensign with the active United States Navy.

From 1929, he specialized in submarines. Then Lieutenant Commander Brockman took command of the submarine USS Nautilus (SS-168) in early 1942. Nautilus' first war patrol was eventful: the boat was dispatched for the decisive Battle of Midway. (Their Finest Hour's recap of the battle can be found here.) Brockman was among the many recipients of the Navy Cross for his command of the submarine during the battle.

As Nautilus' patrol continued after the Battle of Midway from June 10-July 11, 1942, Brockman received a second award of the Navy Cross to honor his continued courage and tenacity in command.


From Military Times Hall of Valor:

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 Lieutenant Commander William Herman Brockman, Jr. (NSN: 0-61342), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. NAUTILUS (SS-168), on the FIRST War Patrol of that submarine from 10 June 1942 to 11 July 1942, in the Southwest Pacific. During a period of eleven days, while on station patrolling in enemy controlled waters, Lieutenant Commander Brockman delivered five attacks against the enemy and, in spite of having been driven down on three occasions, the NAUTILUS succeeded in sinking a 1,700-ton enemy Japanese destroyer and a 1,500-ton patrol vessel. Although severe anti-submarine measures had caused considerable material damage, Lieutenant Commander Brockman's extreme courage and expert seamanship enabled him to bring his ship and crew home safely without loss or injury, and his conduct throughout the performance of a difficult and dangerous mission was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

For a full accounting of this great submarine commander's record, I also present his first Navy Cross citation from the Battle of Midway, as well as his third award of the second-highest naval decoration for valor that he earned during Nautilus' fourth war patrol from December 13, 1942 to February 4, 1943.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander William Herman Brockman, Jr. (NSN: 0-61342), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. NAUTILUS (SS-168), in the Battle of Midway. On 4 June 1942, Lieutenant Commander Brockman aggressively developed a contact with major enemy forces and doggedly pushed home a torpedo attack on a screened aircraft carrier against determined and repeated enemy counter measures by gunfire barrage, depth charging and bombing from the air. The attack culminated successfully and Lieutenant Commander Brockman is credited with closing and sinking of a 10,000 ton enemy aircraft carrier. His skill, determination, courage and fortitude were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.




The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander William Herman Brockman, Jr. (NSN: 0-61342), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. NAUTILUS (SS-168), during the FOURTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 13 December 1942 to 4 February 1943, in Japanese waters. Lieutenant Commander Brockman adeptly and daringly maneuvered his ship into positions from which to strike the enemy, and aggressively attacked, sinking one MINEKAZE Class destroyer, probably sinking on 9,000-ton transport and one 5,000-ton cargo ship, and damaging one MOGAMI Class heavy cruiser and one 10,000-ton tanker. Throughout this patrol he handled his ship expertly to avoid damage from enemy counter measures. Further, under perilous conditions, he successfully evacuated twenty-nine civilians from an island occupied by the enemy. His actions and conduct are a continuation of his illustrious record, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Brockman served throughout the war in a variety of capacities. He retired as a Captain in 1947 and was promoted to Rear Admiral in retirement. He also received a Silver Star for valor during his time as commanding officer of the Nautilus. Brockman, while in command of the Nautilus, was credited with sinking eight ships (29,500 tons).

Nautilus also survived the war, completing 14 war patrols in the Pacific against the Japanese Empire. She was decommissioned on June 30, 1945 and later scrapped. As one of the most successful submarines of World War II, it is fitting that she gave her name to the first nuclear powered submarine USS Nautilus (SSN-571).

Admiral Brockman prospered in business after leaving the Navy. He passed away at age 74 on January 2, 1979 in Boca Raton, Florida. He rests in peace with our Nation's most honored dead in Arlington National Cemetery.