Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Edward Howard Bayers (NSN: 0-103058), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight while serving as a pilot of a carrier-based fighter plane in Fighting Squadron ELEVEN (VF-11), embarked in U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action during the first United States Naval air attack against the Japanese Empire on 17 February 1945. Leading two divisions of fighters providing cover for carrier-based bombers and torpedo bombers, he so skillfully directed defensive tactics against repeated attacks by numerically superior enemy planes that all of the escorted aircraft reached the target in the Tokyo area and completed successfully a destructive attack against a strategic industrial plant. During this engagement, three enemy planes were shot down, of which he is credited with two, and an undetermined number were damaged before the enemy was beaten off. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 11 (VF-11)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12)

    Action Date:

    January 12, 1945

    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 Edward Howard Bayers (NSN: 0-103058), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron ELEVEN (VF-11), embarked in U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action on 12 January 1945, in the vicinity of French Indo-China, while attacking an enemy destroyer escort, causing such serious damage that the vessel probably sank. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 6 (VF-6)

    Division:

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

    Action Date:

    June 4 – 6, 1942
    Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 3013 (July 16, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Edward Howard Bayers (NSN: 0-103058), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Section Leader of Fighting Squadron SIX (VF-6), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the “Air Battle of Midway,” against enemy Japanese forces on 4 – 6 June 1942. Sighting two Zero Fighters on 4 June, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bayers, with bold aggressiveness and great personal risk, pressed home a persistent attack against these enemy aircraft until he had shot the leader down in flames. While diving to escape the surviving wingman, who had out-maneuvered him and gained the offensive, he sighted a Japanese Torpedo Plane approaching the U.S.S. YORKTOWN. Too intent upon protecting our aircraft carrier to be deterred by the threatening proximity of the enemy fighter, he intercepted the Torpedo Plane and destroyed it. Again, on 6 June, as member of an attack group assigned to repel a Japanese naval force, he defied a fierce barrage of concentrated anti-aircraft fire to strafe and seriously damage an enemy destroyer. His superb initiative and expert airmanship aided greatly in the success of the United States forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 11 (VF-11)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12)

    Action Date:

    January 9, 1945

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Edward Howard Bayers (NSN: 0-103058), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as the pilot of a carrier-based fighter plane in Fighting Squadron ELEVEN (VF-11), embarked in U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action on 9 January 1945, in the vicinity of Formosa. While attacking an enemy convoy, he dove through intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire to secure direct rocket hits upon an enemy destroyer, inflicting such damage that the vessel exploded and sank. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.