Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Francis
R.
Sanborn
November 10, 1918

–

May 29, 1996

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Action Date:

    February 28, 1943
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 321 (December 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Francis R. Sanborn, United States Navy, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy. On the morning of 28 February 1943, when the Avenger Bomber in which he served crashed and burst into flames at the east end of the runway on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Lieutenant, Junior Grade Beach displayed unusual gallantry and outstanding courage when, disregarding the extreme hazard from explosion of four 500-pound bombs with which the plane was loaded, he worked with Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class Beach for ten minutes extricating the unconscious body of radio gunner Aviation Radioman Second Class James J. Burke, from the flaming wreckage of the plane. Accomplishing this task in spite of the fact that he was himself suffering from minor injuries to his hands, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Sanborn conducted himself with fortitude and self-sacrificing intrepidity in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Batallion:

    Torpedo Squadron 5 (VT-5)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)

    Action Date:

    May 4, 7 & 8, 1942
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 312 (March 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Francis R. Sanborn, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FIVE (VT-5), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Tulagi Harbor on 4 May 1942, and in the Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. These attacks, vigorously and persistently pressed home in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, and on 8 May opposed also by enemy fighters, resulted in the sinking or damaging of at least eight enemy Japanese vessels at Tulagi and the sinking of one carrier and the sinking or severe damaging of another in the Coral Sea. Ensign Sanborn’s conscientious devotion to duty and gallant self-command against formidable odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.