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 Commander Wallace Andrew Sherrill (Schmid), (NSN: 0-72271), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy in the vicinity of the Ryukyu Islands, Kyushu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Honshu, Japan. As Pilot of a carrier-based Fighter plane during the period 25 April 1945 to 10 August 1945, he led twenty strikes against enemy combatant and merchant shipping, airfields, installations, troop concentrations and gun emplacements inflicting extensive damage. Frequently these flights encountered adverse weather. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Wallace Andrew Sherrill (Schmid), (NSN: 0-72271), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as leader of a carrier-based Fighter sweep against enemy aircraft and an airfield on Kyushu, Japan, during extremely bad weather on 2 June 1945. Upon becoming aware that planes from another carrier orbiting downed pilots were low on fuel, he volunteered to assume this duty, and to provide cover for an approaching rescue aircraft. The rescue aircraft was successful in picking up thirteen downed airmen in Kagoshima Wan, well within enemy territory and in close proximity to large enemy airfields. During rescue operations the orbiting aircraft were under enemy gunfire and were later attacked by a numerically superior number of enemy fighters. Taking his Division from below solid overcast he climbed, and joining other planes of the sweep, proceeded to engage the enemy, even though low on fuel and at serious disadvantage, and to drive them off, thus assuring the success of the rescue operations. His skill and courage were at all times inspiring and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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 Commander Wallace Andrew Sherrill (Schmid), (NSN: 0-72271), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a carrier-based Fighter plane in operations against the enemy on 10 July 1945. While leading a Task Group Strike on enemy airfields in the vicinity of Tokyo, Japan, and while subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire, he skillfully directed the elements of the striking group so as to produce a most effectively coordinated attack upon the important enemy airfield at Kasimagaura, containing a large concentration of enemy aircraft. Flying through intense anti-aircraft fire he led his Division down in the attack, firing his rockets into a maintenance shop and dropping his bomb on an anti-aircraft position, which was effectively silenced, thus contributing to the safety of other attacking aircraft and to the successful completion of the attack. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.