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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Douglas William Mulcahy (NSN: 0-98456), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, 21 September 1944. Skilled and aggressive in combat, Lieutenant (then Lieutenant, Junior Grade) Mulcahy boldly led his division in the first fighter sweep against an important enemy-held airfield. Encountering a formation of five enemy planes, he attacked fearlessly and with deadly accuracy to shoot down three of them without damage to his own plane. Fighting his plane with skill and courage, he damaged and drove another enemy off the tail of one of our own planes and assisted in shooting down a fifth hostile plane. His expert airmanship, inspiring leadership and conscientious devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 31 (VF-31)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28)

    Action Date:

    June 19, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Douglas William Mulcahy (NSN: 0-98456), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 19 June 1944. Vectored out with his four-plane fighter division to intercept a group of thirty or more enemy aircraft headed toward his Task Force, Lieutenant Commander Mulcahy boldly attacked the enemy formation and shot down two enemy fighters out of a total of six destroyed by his division. By his expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Commander Mulcahy contributed essentially to the success of our operations in this engagement and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.