Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Patrick
Dawson
Fleming
DNB (1956)
January 17, 1918

–

February 16, 1956

Cemetery:

Cedar Cemetery

Patrick Fleming graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1941. He became a Navy ACE in World War II, achieving 19 victories in the air. After the war he transferred to the U.S. Air Force, achieving the rank of Colonel before he was killed during a B-52 accident in 1956.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 80 (VF-80)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)

    Action Date:

    November 25, 1944
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0685 (December 30, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Patrick Dawson Fleming (NSN: 0-100296), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemy forces on 25 November 1944 in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands. While leading a two-plane communication relay he encountered an enemy formation of five planes and despite the numerical odds he attacked the enemy formation and shot down two enemy planes. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 80 (VF-80)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)

    Action Date:

    December 14, 1944
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force: Serial 0909 (January 13, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Patrick Dawson Fleming (NSN: 0-100296), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron EIGHTY (VF-80), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in action on 14 December 1944 in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands. He led a division in an eight-plane formation and despite the numerical odds attacked an enemy formation of twenty-seven planes and during the ensuing engagement he shot down four enemy planes. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Bombing Fighting Squadron 80 (VBF-80)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)

    Action Date:

    February 17, 1945
    Commander Air Forces Pacific: Serial 25349 (December 9, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Patrick Dawson Fleming (NSN: 0-100296), United States Navy, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Bombing Fighting Squadron 80 (VBF-80), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in action against enemy air installations and air power in the Tokyo area on 17 February 1945. He led a division of planes on a fighter sweep and personally destroyed four enemy aircraft in the air amid heavy anti-aircraft fire. His courage, determination and leadership, in the face of enemy superiority, during the entire action were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Patrick Dawson Fleming (NSN: 0-100296), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to two previously awarded Gold Stars in lieu of a Fourth Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight .

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    February 1954 – February 1956
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 60 (October 2, 1956)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) (Posthumously) to Colonel Patrick Dawson Fleming (NSN: 0-100296/AFSN: 9750A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, from February 1954 to February 1956. As Deputy Wing Commander, 93d Bombardment Wing (Heavy), Colonel Fleming was directly instrumental in developing more efficient, safer, and easier methods for utilizing equipment in training of personnel in modern jet bombardment operations. His depth of knowledge and profound understanding of aircraft performance and bombardment operations, and his ability to lecture, educate and indoctrinate personnel in methods of improving procedures, significantly contributed to the successful conversion of this wing to jet bombardment aircraft. The untiring efforts and adept resourcefulness and dedicated devotion of Colonel Fleming to the attainment of a high state of combat readiness greatly improved the managerial effectiveness of the command aircraft conversion and training program. His actions may be readily associated with the increased operational capability of the Strategic Air Command. The outstanding contributions to national security rendered by Colonel Fleming have reflected the greatest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Bombing Fighting Squadron 80 (VBF-80)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)

    Action Date:

    February 16, 1945
    Commander Air Forces Pacific: Serial 25349 (December 9, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Patrick Dawson Fleming (NSN: 0-100296), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Bombing Fighting Squadron EIGHTY (VBF-80), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in the action against Tokyo air fields on 16 February 1945. He skillfully and courageously led a division of planes on a fighter sweep against enemy airpower. During the action, he personally destroyed five aircraft in the air amid heavy anti-aircraft fire. His skill and courage coupled with his leadership and complete disregard for his personal safety were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 80 (VF-80)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)

    Action Date:

    January 3, 1945
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0151 (March 8, 1945)

    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 Lieutenant Patrick Dawson Fleming (NSN: 0-100296), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemy planes and installations in the Formosa area on 3 January 1945. Encountering a superior number of enemy fighters, he led his division unhesitatingly into an attack, resulting in the destruction of at least five enemy planes of which he shot down three. Despite extremely hazardous weather conditions, and intense anti-aircraft fire over the target area, he was able to bring his division back to its base without loss or damage. His intrepidity, aggressive fighting spirit and leadership were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 80 (VF-80)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)

    Action Date:

    January 9 – 16, 1945
    Commander Air Forces Pacific: Serial 1333 (March 1, 1947)

    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 Patrick Dawson Fleming (NSN: 0-100296), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight from 9 to 16 January 1945. Lieutenant Fleming completed twenty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.