Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Batallion:

    Torpedo Squadron 1 (VT-1)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20)

    Action Date:

    July 28, 1945

    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 02038 (October 9, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Francis Shaughnessey (NSN: 0-403203), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron ONE (VT-1), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in action on 28 July 1945, in an attack against major units of the enemy fleet at the heavily defended Kure Naval Base. In spite of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from enemy battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and other combatant ships, and from strategically located shore batteries of heavy and medium caliber which were brought to bear upon him during the entire course of his bombing run and his retirement, Ensign Shaughnessey courageously pressed home a daring glide bombing attack to low altitude to score a hit upon a heavy cruiser, thereby contributing materially to the success of the coordinated attack, which resulted in all capital ships of the Japanese Navy in the vicinity of Kure being either sunk or seriously damaged. His courage and determination to inflict damage upon the enemy were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.