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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 Ensign Robert Jay Humphrey (NSN: 0-347084), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier based fighter plane on 29 March 1945. Ensign Humphrey took part with one other pilot in a seven hundred mile search for units of the Japanese Fleet. Launched from his carrier at 0300 he proceeded through conditions of extremely low visibility, rain and snow squalls to the vicinity of the islands of Yaku and Tanega Shima. Searching by moonlight and instruments northwesterly from these islands along the western coast of Kyushu up to the island of Tau Shima, he penetrated all bays and harbors along the heavily defended coastline and island areas where enemy warships might be found. A particularly thorough inspection of the Sasebo Naval Base was made during darkness and later during daylight when he reconnoitered the harbor at a very low altitude. He repeated his search along western Kyushu by daylight on the return flight to his carrier. The information obtained was invaluable for intelligence purposes. 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:

    Ensign

    Action Date:

    March 27, 1945
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0615 (July 2, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Robert Jay Humphrey (NSN: 0-347084), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while flying as Pilot of a carrier based fighter plane. Ensign Humphrey was launched alone as a night patrol over our surface forces in the vicinity of Okinawa Shima on 27 March 1945. In the course of the three and one half hour flight he shot down two enemy planes during the hours of darkness. The first aircraft encountered was a four engine patrol plane. After identifying it at close range he dropped back and opened fire. The enemy gunners returned his fire and the pilot attempted violent evasive maneuvers but the plane burst into flames, crashed to the sea and exploded. Later he identified and attacked an enemy torpedo plane. Although the enemy jettisoned his torpedo and attempted evasive action, his shots took effect, and the plane crashed to the sea in flames. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Composite Squadron 3 (VC-3)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Princeton (CV-37)

    Action Date:

    June 13, 1952
    Board Serial 20 (January 13, 1953)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Robert Jay Humphrey (NSN: 0-347084), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while participating in aerial flight on 13 June 1952, while serving with Composite Squadron THREE (VC-3), in U.S.S. PRINCETON (CV-37), as leader of a flight of fighter and attack aircraft on a night heckler mission over North Korea. Piloting his plane through total darkness and in reduced visibility over mountainous terrain he detected enemy activity in the heavily defended rail yard at Chigyong. Illuminating the area with a flare, Lieutenant Humphrey discovered a loaded twelve-car train. Directing the remainder of the flight to proceed to that area Lieutenant Humphrey courageously and alone initiated an immediate attack to prevent the train from being moved to safety. Despite a concentration of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire he made repeated bombing attacks to destroy three of the rail cars and seriously damage the locomotive. When his bombs were expended Lieutenant Humphrey made a low level napalm attack, without the support of another aircraft and despite intense ground fire to set eight more cars afire. He then continued his attacks with machine guns until his plane sustained a direct hit from a large caliber anti-aircraft shell causing it to burst into flames. Lieutenant Humphrey was unable to abandon his plane until just prior to the time it crashed into the ground. By his exceptional skill, cool courage in the face of danger, and aggressive spirit Lieutenant Humphrey made a major contribution to the night interdiction efforts of the United Nations’ Forces and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.