The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major John R. Burnett (MCSN: 0-6341), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Solomon Islands Area from 16 March 1943 to 7 April 1943. Major Burnett completed twenty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred and on one or more of these missions such enemy opposition was encountered. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.
Sponsored by:
John
R.
Burnett
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Heroes U.S. Marine Corps 1861 – 1955 (Jane Blakeney) -
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
Marine All Weather Fighter SquadronAction Date:
April 6, 1952
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 Lieutenant Colonel John R. Burnett (MCSN: 0-6341), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in Korea. Lieutenant Colonel Burnett, serving as Commanding Officer of a Marine All Weather Fighter Squadron, was engaged in a night intruder mission along a main supply route over the eastern sector of North Korea on the night of 6 April 1952. After Lieutenant Colonel Burnett had established radio contact with his flare plane, he received a report that several trucks had been seen entering a nearby small village. With full knowledge of the numerous anti-aircraft positions in the immediate vicinity, Lieutenant Colonel Burnett ordered his flare plane to illuminate the area. Lieutenant Colonel Burnett then initiated a napalm and bombing attack on the village in which the trucks were seen to disappear. After five runs were completed under extremely hazardous conditions, including not only those of enemy fire but of restricted visibility, Lieutenant Colonel Burnett retired from the area, leaving five buildings destroyed and burning. As he proceeded south along the supply route, Lieutenant Colonel Burnett noticed the headlights of a number of trucks on the road below him. As soon as a flare had been dropped, he executed six strafing runs, pouring over five hundred rounds of twenty millimeter ammunitions into the trucks, thereby further hampering the enemy’s supply effort. Lieutenant Colonel Burnett’s alertness, superb airmanship and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Heroes U.S. Marine Corps 1861 – 1955 (Jane Blakeney)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 Major John R. Burnett (MCSN: 0-6341), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Solomon Islands Area from 16 March 1943 to 30 July 1943. Major Burnett completed forty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred and on one or more of these missions such enemy opposition was encountered. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.