The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander William Floyd Bringle (NSN: 0-78727), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights against the enemy on 14 April 1945 when serving as Squadron Commander of a carrier-based squadron in the vicinity of the Sakishima Gunto. Realizing the vital necessity of the success of his mission, which was to find and destroy well concealed enemy aircraft, he flew his plane through anti-aircraft fire which had downed many of our planes, to dangerously low altitudes with extraordinary coolness, skill and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. He made repeated searches, discovered and destroyed three enemy planes and directed an additional strike which resulted in the destruction of four more planes. Upon returning aboard his carrier, he was immediately launched to orbit and cover an air-sea rescue of a downed pilot. Before returning to his base he conducted on his own initiative a night intruder attack on another airfield which prevented enemy air activity from this field at a critical time. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Navy Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderAction Date:
March 26 – April 20, 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 William Floyd Bringle (NSN: 0-78727), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in twenty aerial flights in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Nansei Shoto area from 26 March to 28 April 1945.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]Batallion:
Observation Fighting Squadron 1 (VOF-1)Division:
U.S.S. Tulagi (CVE-72)Action Date:
August 20 & 25, 1944
Commander 8th Fleet: Serial 5674 (November 16, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] William Floyd Bringle (NSN: 0-78727), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane and Commanding Officer Of Observation Fighting Squadron ONE (VOF-1), attached to the U.S.S. TULAGI (CVE-72), in action against enemy forces during the Allied invasion of southern France on 20 August 1944. Commander Bringle led his flight of eight planes against a hostile motorized concentration and skillfully maneuvered his group for maximum striking power and, pressing home his attacks with skill in the face of powerful anti-aircraft fire, contributed materially to the infliction of damage and destruction on seventy-five enemy motor vehicles. Leading a second strike against six heavily armed enemy trawlers in the Marseilles Area later the same day, he struck repeatedly at his target to assist in the beaching of four and the crippling of two additional enemy vessels. Fearlessly exposing himself to enemy anti-aircraft fire which damaged his plane and forced him to land in the water on 25 August Commander Bringle continued to relay vital information to our forces regarding the fall of shot in the vicinity of three important hostile coastal batteries and, by his courageous efforts in the face of grave personal danger, contributed directly to the subsequent neutralization of these enemy emplacements. By his airmanship, initiative and devotion to duty throughout, Commander Bringle upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderAction Date:
March 25 – June 20, 1945
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Star in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander William Floyd Bringle (NSN: 0-78727), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in twenty aerial flights against enemy forces within the period 25 March to 20 June 1945, during the invasion of Okinawa Gunto, Empire of Japan. His skill and courage were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderAction Date:
January 9 – March 10, 1945
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 William Floyd Bringle (NSN: 0-78727), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in twenty aerial flights against enemy forces within the period 9 January to 10 March 1945, during the invasion of Luzon, Philippine Islands, and during the invasion of Iwo Jima, Empire of Japan. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderAction Date:
February 16 – March 10, 1945
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander William Floyd Bringle (NSN: 0-78727), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in twenty aerial flights against enemy forces within the period 16 February to 10 March 1945, during the invasion of Iwo Jima, Empire of Japan. His skill and courage were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderAction Date:
March 25 – June 20, 1945
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander William Floyd Bringle (NSN: 0-78727), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in twenty aerial flights against enemy forces within the period 25 March to 20 June 1945, during the invasion of Okinawa Gunto, Empire of Japan. His skill and courage were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
All Hands (November 1968)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Rear Admiral William Floyd Bringle (NSN: 0-78727), United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from July 1965 to October 1967, as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans for the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
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Legion of Merit
All Hands (February 1967)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Rear Admiral William Floyd Bringle (NSN: 0-78727), United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Attack Carrier Striking Force, U.S. SEVENTH Fleet, and Commander Task Group 77.6, from 29 March through 27 June 1965, for his part in the first successful employment of the F-4B/SPARROW III Weapons System, and for his work in the direction of five attack carrier striking groups engaged in combat operations in the South China Sea. (Rear Admiral Bringle is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
All Hands (September 1968)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Vice Admiral William Floyd Bringle (NSN: 0-78727), United States Navy, was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander SEVENTH Fleet. Under is leadership, all the forces assigned to his command have continuously operated in a most potent and effective fighting manner. His singularly distinctive accomplishments and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.