The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Murray Armitage (NSN: 0-104393), United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Pilot of a Torpedo Bomber in Torpedo Squadron SIX (VT-6), embarked in U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), in the successful aerial action against Japanese Naval Forces on 26 October 1942, near Santa Cruz Islands. In the face of extremely heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Armitage, with conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity, pressed home a torpedo attack on a Japanese heavy cruiser. His courageous action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant John Murray Armitage (NSN: 0-104393), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight above and beyond the call of duty in the testing and development of aircraft rockets. Being among the first to volunteer for hazardous test flights without regard for the personal danger involved, Lieutenant Armitage gave his life while testing an early development of the navy’s larges aircraft rocket. Lieutenant Armitage soloed in 22 single-engine and 7 multi-engine aircraft. While with this command from 30 November 1943, he logged 888 hours, of which 111.7 hours were experimental flights. Holding an admirable record for combat flights in the South Pacific and Southwest Pacific, Lieutenant Armitage was thoroughly convinced that rockets increased the striking power of aircraft, and would be of great value to the fleet, and worked untiringly in the development of this weapon.