Navy Federal Credit Union

Charles Farmer graduated from the former Cateret Military Academy in New Jersey. He became a World War II Navy ACE, credited with shooting down 7.25 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. Following his World War II service, he graduated from Harvard College with a degree in government in 1949. He worked as a congressional clerk in Washington, D.C., before returning to Massachusetts to run a car dealership with his father-in-law in Salem.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Intrepid (CV-11)

    Action Date:

    April 16, 1945

    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0952 (July 6, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Charles Davis Farmer, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron TEN (VF-10), attached to the U.S.S. INTREPID (CV-11), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa in the Ryukyu Chain, on 16 April 1945. When his four-plane fighter patrol division was attacked by an outnumbering force of enemy aircraft, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Farmer led his flight in an aggressive counterattack and, fighting a gallant battle despite the enemy’s altitude advantage, personally blasted four of the hostile planes from the sky and materially assisted his division in destroying seven during this fierce action. By his indomitable fighting spirit, cool courage and forceful leadership, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Farmer contributed essentially to the breaking up of a concentrated enemy attack on our surface forces and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Enterprise

    Action Date:

    June 17 – 20, 1944

    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 357 (December 1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant, Junior Grade Charles Davis Farmer, United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot in fighting Squadron TEN (VF-10), embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, in the vicinity of the Marianas on 17, 19, and 20 June 1944.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant, Junior Grade Charles Davis Farmer, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot in fighting Squadron TEN (VF-10), during World War II.