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BATTLE OF MIDWAY and the CORAL SEA - Navy Cross + DFC Recipients


KASTAUFFER
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Here is an inexpensive way to collect authentic items related to the Battle of Midway without breaking the bank.... postal history from the men who were there.

I collect postal history and have been acquiring these for years.



Navy Cross

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Edward Lee Anderson (NSN: 0-82109), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Section Leader in Bombing Squadron SIX (VB-6), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action against enemy Japanese forces on 4 - 6 June 1942. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Anderson took part in dive-bombing attacks against Japanese naval forces in the Battle of Midway. Defying extreme danger from concentrated anti-aircraft barrage and powerful fighter opposition, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Anderson, with bold determination and courageous zeal, participated in dive-bombing assaults against Japanese naval units. In two instances, flying at a distance from his own forces which rendered return unlikely because of probable fuel exhaustion, he pressed home his attacks with extreme disregard for his own personal safety. His gallant intrepidity and loyal devotion to duty contributed greatly to the success of our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander In Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 3013 (July 16, 1942)

Action Date: June 4 - 6, 1942

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Navy Cross

 

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Norman Francis Vandivier (NSN: 0-83280), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron SIX (VB-6), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. Defying extreme danger from concentrated anti-aircraft barrage and powerful fighter opposition, Ensign Vandivier, with bold determination and courageous zeal, participated in dive-bombing assaults against Japanese naval units. Flying at a distance from his own forces which rendered return unlikely because of probable fuel exhaustion, he pressed home his attacks with extreme disregard for his own personal safety. His gallant intrepidity and loyal devotion to duty contributed greatly to the success of our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 309 (December 1942)

Action Date: June 4, 1942

Service: Navy

Rank: Ensign

Company: Bombing Squadron 6 (VB-6)

Division: U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)

 

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Navy Cross

 

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Roy Phillip Gee (NSN: 0-99699), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron EIGHT (VB-8), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway on 6 June 1942. With utter disregard for his own personal safety and in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Gee participated in determined and effective bombing and strafing attacks on fleeing enemy Japanese forces, obtaining a successful hit on one of the enemy ships. His courageous action on this occasion contributed materially to the victory achieved by our forces and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Action Date: 6-Jun-42

Service: Navy

Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade

Company: Bombing Squadron 8 (VB-8)

Division: U.S.S. Hornet (CV-8)

 

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Navy Cross

 

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Elbert Scott McCuskey (NSN: 0-81585), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FORTY-TWO (VF-42), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against the Japanese on 4 and 8 May 1942. On 4 May, during the attack against enemy ships in Tulagi Harbor, he led his two-plane section in repeated attacks against an enemy armed transport and destroyer. The attack against the latter resulted in silencing all her guns and inflicting severe damage. On 8 May, as part of fighter escort for our own torpedo planes making an attack on an enemy carrier in the Coral Sea, he was attacked by four enemy fighters. Through his skill and courage he succeeded in shooting down one of them, and by aggressive action, prevented the others from attacking the force which he was protecting. In this action, in which he was also subjected to heavy anti-aircraft fire from enemy ships, he displayed skill and bravery which materially contributed to the success of the attack against the enemy carrier.

General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 14 (June 28, 1942)

Action Date: May 4 & 8, 1942

Service: Navy

Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade

Company: Fighting Squadron 42 (VF-42)

Division: U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)
Navy Cross

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, Junior Grade Elbert Scott McCuskey (NSN: 0-81585), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THREE (VF-3), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. Through his courage, skill and determination he played a principal role in disrupting a bombing attack directed against the YORKTOWN by a formation of eighteen Japanese dive bombers accompanied by fighter escort. With three other friendly fighter planes, he intercepted the large enemy formation, and, in the face of their fire, personally shot down three enemy dive bombers, and damaged three others before he exhausted his ammunition. Later the same day, he engaged enemy fighters escorting a torpedo plane attack, pressing home his attacks so strenuously and skillfully as to bring about the destruction of two Japanese "Zero" fighters. His courage, determination and utter disregard for personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 19 (July 20, 1942)

Action Date: June 4, 1942

Service: Navy

Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade

Company: Fighting Squadron 3 (VF-3)

Division: U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)

Distinguished Flying Cross

 

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Elbert Scott McCuskey (NSN: 0-81585), United States Naval Reserve, for heroic conduct in aerial combat during the operations of U.S. forces against the Gilbert Islands on 31 January 1942. While piloting a fighter plane from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), he assisted in the destruction of an enemy four-engine patrol bomber seaplane which was attempting to attack that ship.

General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 3 (June 17, 1942)

Action Date: January 31, 1942

Service: Navy

Rank: Ensign

Company: Fighting Squadron 3 (VF-3)

Division: U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)

Distinguished Flying Cross

 

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Elbert Scott McCuskey (NSN: 0-81585), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot in a carrier-based fighter airplane assigned to escort a strike group against enemy shipping and installations at the Philippine Islands on 21 September 1944. He personally shot down and destroyed three enemy fighter airplanes thus contributing materially to the success of the operation. His coolness, skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0719 (October 26, 1944)

Action Date: September 21, 1944

Service: Navy

Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Distinguished Flying Cross

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Elbert Scott McCuskey (NSN: 0-81585), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based fighter airplane assigned to a fighter sweep against aircraft and installations in the vicinity of Formosa on 12 October 1944. He personally shot down and destroyed three enemy fighter airplanes thus contributing materially to the success of the operation. His skill, coolness and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 06 (January 1, 1945)

Action Date: October 12, 1944

Service: Navy

Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Distinguished Flying Cross

 

(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander Elbert Scott McCuskey (NSN: 0-81585), United States Naval Reserve, was awarded a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based fighter aircraft during the period 4 August 1944 to 7 September 1944.

Action Date: August 4 - September 7, 1944

Service: Navy

Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Distinguished Flying Cross

 

(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander Elbert Scott McCuskey (NSN: 0-81585), United States Naval Reserve, was awarded a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based fighter aircraft during World War II.

Action Date: World War II

Service: Navy

Rank: Lieutenant Commander

 

 

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Navy Cross

 

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Edward Heck, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron SIX (VT-6), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. Participating in a vigorous and intensive assault against the Japanese invasion fleet, Ensign Heck pressed home his attack with relentless determination in the face of a terrific barrage of anti-aircraft fire. The unprecedented conditions under which his squadron launched its offensive were so exceptional that it is highly improbably the occasion may ever recur where other pilots of the service will be called upon to demonstrate an equal degree of gallantry and fortitude. His extreme disregard of personal safety contributed materially to the success of our forces and his loyal conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Action Date: June 4, 1942

Service: Navy

Rank: Ensign

Company: Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6)

Division: U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)

 

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Ensign Leon Wilder Haynes VF-2 Battle of the Coral Sea .

 

 

Navy Cross

 

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Leon Wilder Haynes, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron TWO (VF-2), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces over enemy-controlled waters near Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea on 10 March 1942. Ensign Haynes pressed home, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, a vigorous and determined dive bombing attack on enemy ships, and as a result of this attack at least one enemy ship was sunk. His outstanding courage, daring airmanship and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 314 (May 1943)

Action Date: March 10, 1942

Service: Navy

Rank: Ensign

Company: Fighting Squadron 2 (VF-2)

Division: U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2)

 

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EDER, WILLARD ERNEST, JR.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Willard Ernest Eder, Jr., Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron TWO (VF-2), embarked from the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces on 7 and 8 May 1942, in the Air Battle of the Coral Sea. With accurate understanding of his objective and bold perseverance in attaining it, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Eder destroyed one Japanese fighter plane and courageously attacked several others. His high devotion to duty in the performance of a dangerous and difficult task contributed measurably to the defense of our forces and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 308 (November 1942)
Born: September 27, 1915 at Buffalo, Wyoming
Home Town: Buffalo, Wyoming

 

 

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That is a very nice collection. It is great to see ideas for collecting outside of the box. You are still preserving history without investing a whole lot financially. Thank you for sharing.

 

Dustin

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