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 Earl Bittenbender (NSN: 0-157804), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the combat area of the Pacific during the period 24 January 1944 to 19 March 1944. Lieutenant Bittenbender completed twenty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.
Sponsored by:
Earl
Bittenbender
Home:
Pottstown
,
Pennsylvania
Awards Received
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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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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantBatallion:
Squadron 104Action Date:
February 27 – May 15, 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 Earl Bittenbender (NSN: 0-157804), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the combat area of the Pacific during the period 27 February 1945 to 15 May 1945. Lieutenant Bittenbender completed twenty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantAction Date:
December 18, 1944 – February 26, 1945
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Earl Bittenbender (NSN: 0-157804), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the combat area of the Pacific during the period 18 December 1944 to 26 February 1945. Lieutenant Bittenbender completed twenty-one flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.
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Silver Star
Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 05803 (August 28, 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Earl Bittenbender (NSN: 0-157804), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in an aerial attack on 31 March 1945, as Patrol Plane Commander of a Navy Liberator, based at Clark Field, Luzon, engaged in a special tracking mission. Lieutenant Bittenbender not only performed the task assigned him but, by the extraordinary aggressiveness of his attacks on enemy fighter planes, saved a U.S. submarine from possible destruction and enabled it to complete the rescue of three survivors from Yulin Bay, Hainan. Realizing the highly critical nature of the submarine’s situation, he disregarded his own personal safety and in a move highly unorthodox for a four engine search plane engaged six of the enemy’s first line fighter planes that were attempting to attack this vessel. Despite the overwhelming odds against him, Lieutenant Bittenbender refused to leave the submarine unprotected and pressed home his attack on four Oscars and two Prank type fighters. The enemy dropped phosphorous bombs, wounding one of his men and severely damaged his plane with a withering barrage of machine gun and cannon fire. However, the extraordinary skill with which he took his surprise offensive and maneuvered his gunners into effective firing position enabled them to take a toll on the enemy fighters destroying two of them and seriously damaging two others. His outstanding conduct throughout was 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 Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Earl Bittenbender (NSN: 0-157804), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. On 27 February 1945, while serving as Patrol Plane Commander of a Navy Liberator engaged in an unescorted armed combat patrol, he contributed to the destruction in the air of one TOPSY type Japanese transport and one VAL type dive bomber and, in addition, to the damage of two other TOPSY’s and one VAL. His actions evidenced extraordinary coolness, courage and professional skill and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.