While ships of Task Force 38—including DesRon 12 destroyers—did not receive a Navy Unit Commendation, the following wording. posted on the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation web site—possibly a recommendation never acted on—indicates high regard for this operation in which they participated.

CITATION:

   “For outstanding heroism, brilliant tactics and superlative performance in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Bougainville-Rabaul area from 1 November 1943 to 11 November 1943. Operating against heavy odds with the smallest force ever used for such an undertaking, TASK FORCE 38 struck heavily at the enemy airfields of Buka-Bonis on 1 and 2 November in support of our invasion forces on southwest Bougainville and completed making these airfields inoperative for the period of that invasion. A rapid developing and strong surface threat to our forces at Bougainville necessitated the sending of TASK FORCE 38 to intercept this force which was approaching from Truk. On November 5th TASK FORCE 38 struck heavily-defended Rabaul and crippled seven of the ten Japanese cruisers, and one destroyer, and shot down over twenty of the hundred intercepting planes which were in the air when TASK FORCE 38 planes arrived. Reinforced, TASK FORCE 38 struck Rabaul again on November 11th damaging enemy warships and aircraft still further. By their superb, bold and masterly executed attacks on the enemy in this critical period of our South Pacific operations, TASK FORCE 38 not only materially helped shorten the war and save our forces on Bougainville from a crushing blow, but inflicted a decisive defeat on the enemy that ended his plans for counter offensive fleet action in the Marshalls-Gilberts operations in the Central Pacific.

   All personnel attached to Task Force 38 and embarked squadrons for the period 1 November 1943 to 11 November 1943 are hereby authorize to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION RIBBON.