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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Jack Irving Bandy (NSN: 0-71340), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HALF MOON (APV-26) and concurrently as Senior Officer Present Afloat during the Mindoro Island Campaign from 31 December 1944 to 6 January 1945. He became Senior Officer Present when his immediate superior became incapacitated by wounds. The forces under his command were under continuous and specially vicious air attacks from the Japanese and suffered serious damage and numerous casualties. Under great stress and strain he exhibited extraordinary resourcefulness, keen intelligence, extraordinary heroism and indomitable will power in executing his duties in an extraordinarily efficient manner. He furnished gasoline and supplies to the Army Air Forces ashore, to the Motor Torpedo Boats, to stricken merchant ships in the vicinity, and cared for the survivors throughout the area. In addition, he directed numerous rescue operations, collected the disorganized crews of several merchant ships and coordinated all of the activities in the Mondoro Bay area while under the enemy. He maintained in full and efficient operation the patrol planes assigned to him and directed their successful search-strike missions against the Japanese. At all times he displayed cool courage and unyielding devotion to duty that were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Action Date:

    September 12 – October 6, 1944
    Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 0141 (January 7, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Jack Irving Bandy (NSN: 0-71340), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. During the period from 12 September to 6 October 1944, as Commander Task Unit 73.2.2, he successfully directed offensive night strikes against the enemy. As a result of the offensive operations of the aircraft under his command, 89,900 tons of enemy shipping were sunk or destroyed and 50,500 tons were damaged. In all these operations he displayed outstanding leadership, initiative and aggressiveness. His actions throughout this period were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Bandy is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 28 (VF-28)

    Action Date:

    February 1, 1943
    Commander South Pacific: Serial 02323 (December 7, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Jack Irving Bandy (NSN: 0-71340), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. For seven months ending 1 August 1943, Lieutenant Commander Bandy has served as Commanding Officer, Fighting Squadron TWENTY-EIGHT (VF-28) and latterly as Commander, Air Group TWENTY-EIGHT (AG-28) under this command. During that period he has proven himself an audacious and aggressive leader, a skilled and resourceful tactician, and an heroic inspiration to the pilots of his squadron. Repeatedly while engaged in escort missions from this ship, while on combat air patrol over Rendova, the Russells and Guadalcanal during two tours of duty in the Solomon Area, while leading fighter escorts for our bombers on hazardous missions to Munda, Bakeroko and Kahili, and in the face of aircraft fire, his gallant example, his calm and tenacious devotion to duty have been of the highest order. On 22 July he organized and led elements of three squadrons as fighter escort for our TBFs and SBCs on a strike against enemy shipping of Jakohina and Kahili. When the formation approached the Shortlands, it was intercepted and heavily engaged by thirty Japanese Zeros. With gallant disregard for the superior enemy odds and his own personal safety, Lieutenant Commander Bandy led his fighters in a counter-attack which utterly demolished and frustrated the enemy’s interception, so that our bombers made their successful attacks on the Japanese ships without molestation and in safety, and without a single combat casualty to the fighters. This heroic and inspiring achievement he led, despite previous orders grounding him for important operations only.