hold the position of commander for ABDA naval forces until relieved of operational responsibilities on February 12, 1942. Hart formally was relieved of this title on February 16, 1942, when he left Java, ostensibly for health reasons, (and for political reasons as he was undermined by his British and Dutch subordinate Commanders). Returning to the US via Batavia to Ceylon on a British passenger vessel and then onto the United States. Hart returned to the United States on March 8, 1942. President Roosevelt presented Hart with a Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal in July 1942 (his first Distinguished Service Medal having been awarded for his service in World War I) for "[h]is conduct of the operations of the Allied naval forces in the Southwest Pacific area during January and February 1942, was characterized by unfailing judgment and sound decision, coupled with marked moral courage, in the face of discouraging surroundings and complex associations." Hart was retired with the rank of admiral in July 1942, but recalled to duty in August 1942 as a member of the U.S. Navy's General Board. Hart retired from active duty a second time in February 1945, on his appointment to the U.S. Senate to fill the seat of Francis T. Maloney, on Maloney's death. Family and legacy Hart's daughter Harriet Taft Hart was the wife of Francis B. Sayre, Jr., who was the son of President Woodrow Wilson's daughter Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre. , commissioned in 1973, was named for Hart and was sponsored by Hart's granddaughter, Penny Hart Bragonier. Upon his death on July 4, 1971, Hart was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Decorations Here is the ribbon bar of Admiral Hart: See also List of superintendents of the United States Naval Academy List of United States senators from Connecticut References Friedman, Norman US Submarines through 1945: An Illustrated Design History, Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1995, . Friedman, Norman US Cruisers: An Illustrated Design History, Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1995, . Alden, John D., Commander, USN (retired). The Fleet Submarine in the U.S. Navy, Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1979, . Further reading External links Biographical Directory of the United States Congress: Thomas Charles Hart ibiblio.org – Proceedings of the Hart Inquiry, on the Pearl Harbor Attack Proceedings of Pearl Harbor investigations including the Hart Inquiry 1877 births 1971 deaths People from Davison, Michigan Politicians from Brookline,