John Symmes became a World War II Navy DOUBLE ACE, credited with shooting down eleven enemy aircraft in aerial combat.
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John Symmes became a World War II Navy DOUBLE ACE, credited with shooting down eleven enemy aircraft in aerial combat.
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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Carlos Cleves Symmes (NSN: 0-125720), 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 FIFTEEN (VF-15, attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. In the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire and airborne opposition, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Symmes made a direct hit with his bomb on an enemy carrier which materially contributed to its sinking. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Carlos Cleves Symmes (NSN: 0-125720), 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 FIFTEEN (VF-15, attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces while assigned to a fighter sweep mission against enemy aircraft in the vicinity of Formosa on 12 October 1944. In the face of intense anti-aircraft fire Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Symmes pressed home a mast-head level bombing attack against an escort gunboat, securing a direct hit which caused it to sink immediately. He then escorted a seriously damaged friendly torpedo bomber airplane until it was forced to crash land at sea, close to enemy-held positions. While directing rescue operations an enemy ship attempted to capture the downed airmen. Single-handedly, he attacked the cargo ship repeatedly in the face of its anti-aircraft fire, starting large fires and explosions by strafing. The enemy ship was completely gutted by fire and abandoned, the crew taking to the power boat and persisting in their attempts to capture the downed airmen. He then strafed the power boat, sinking it and thus preventing the capture. He continued his direction of the operations until the rescue was successfully completed. While returning to his carrier, he sighted a small enemy cargo ship which he repeatedly strafed, leaving it in flames and attempting to beach itself. His heroism, courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.