The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander William Doughty Bonvillian (NSN: 0-82336), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of an unarmed Seaplane, attached to the U.S.S. BERING STRAIT (AVP-34), engaged in a rescue mission in an enemy Japanese-held harbor in the Ryukyu Islands, 1 April 1945. Voluntarily flying into Nakagusuki Wan to rescue three men on a raft, Lieutenant Commander Bonvillian landed 500 yards off shore and, skillfully maneuvering his plane close to the life raft, succeeded in passing a line to the three men to bring them safely aboard. By his initiative and courage in executing this hazardous mission, he contributed materially to the saving of the lives of three men, and his devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Rescue Squadron 3Action Date:
June 20, 1945
Commander 3d Fleet: Serial 609 (August 6, 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander William Doughty Bonvillian (NSN: 0-82336), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Plane Commander of a Rescue Plane in Rescue Squadron THREE, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Northern Ryukyu Islands on 20 June 1945. When other means of rescue had faltered, Lieutenant Commander Bonvillian voluntarily attempted to recover fifteen survivors of a stricken plane drifting toward an enemy island, and landed in the face of hostile fire less than a quarter of a mile from the Japanese Island, taxied thirty miles through heavy swells to the position of the downed plane. Bringing the fifteen survivors on board, he made a successful down-swell take off in heavy seas and returned them to the base. His indomitable courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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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 William Doughty Bonvillian (NSN: 0-82336), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Patrol Plane Commander of a rescue Mariner in the northern Ryukyus on 3 May 1945. He skillfully executed a hazardous open sea landing in swells of 12 to 15 feet and a 25 knot wind and rescued an injured pilot. Despite damage to his plane he successfully effected a down-wind take-off and returned to his base. His courage and skill were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Rescue Squadron 3Action Date:
January 8 – July 28, 1945
Commander 1st Air Wing: Serial 1702The 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 Doughty Bonvillian (NSN: 0-82336), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Plane Commander of a Patrol Plane in Rescue Squadron THREE, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Western Pacific War Area from 8 January to 28 July 1945. Completing his twentieth anti-shipping and patrol flight during this period, Lieutenant Commander Bonvillian contributed materially to the success of his Squadron. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of hostile enemy fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.