Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
James
Gilbert
Percy
July 26, 1921

–

September 16, 2015

Cemetery:

Eagle Point National Cemetery

Gilbert Percy became a World War II Marine Corps ACE, credited with shooting down SIX enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He retired in 1961 as a U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 112 (VMF-112)

    Regiment:

    Marine Air Group 14 (MAG-14)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    November 14, 1942
    Heroes U.S. Marine Corps 1861 – 1955 (Jane Blakeney)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant James Gilbert Percy (MCSN: 0-10912), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement as a Pilot with a Marine Aircraft Group during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area on 14 November 1942 and 1 February 1943. When ten Zero-type planes attacked our bombers during an engagement with a large hostile task force, First Lieutenant Percy, one of eight escort fighter pilots, courageously and determinedly fought his plane and, by his outstanding airmanship, shot down one enemy aircraft, thereby contributing to the dissipation of the Zeros and the consequent success which our striking force realized in sinking two transports and scoring a direct hit on a cruiser. Although greatly outnumbered, First Lieutenant Percy, along with nine other fighters on the latter date, vigorously attacked six dive bombers and thirty-five fighters which were menacing a friendly destroyer. During the ensuing engagement he shot out of the sky four Japanese planes while his comrades destroyed fourteen other hostile aircraft. His indomitable fighting spirit was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 112 (VMF-112)

    Regiment:

    Marine Air Group 14 (MAG-14)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    December 16 – 20, 1942

    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 First Lieutenant James Gilbert Percy (MCSN: 0-10912), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-112) during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 16 to 20 December 1942. Completing his fortieth mission during this period, First Lieutenant Percy contributed materially to the success of his squadron in carrying out a bomb escort flight and combat air patrols in this area. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of hostile anti-aircraft fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 112 (VMF-112)

    Regiment:

    Marine Air Group 14 (MAG-14)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    November 14, 1942 & February 1, 1943
    Commander South Pacific: Serial 00596 (May 27, 1946)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant James Gilbert Percy (MCSN: 0-10912), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-112), Marine Air Group FOURTEEN (MAG-14), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, on 14 November 1942 and 1 February 1943. Quick to attack upon seeing ten hostile fighter planes attack friendly dive bombers as he was participating in a strike upon a large enemy tank force, First Lieutenant Percy shot down one enemy plane and aided immeasurably in destroying additional planes and inflicting severe damage upon vital enemy shipping. Undaunted by grave hazards on another occasion when an overwhelming hostile force attacked a friendly destroyer seventeen miles north of Guadalcanal, he boldly led four planes in a group of ten fighters to intercept the enemy aggressors and, fighting valiantly despite tremendous odds, personally shot down four hostile planes, thereby inflicting serious losses upon the Japanese. A bold and intrepid leader, First Lieutenant Percy, by his superb airmanship, resolute courage and unfaltering devotion to duty throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    December 14, 1952 – June 2, 1953

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major James Gilbert Percy (MCSN: 0-10912), United States Marine Corps, for meritorious achievement in connection with operations against the enemy while serving with a Marine helicopter transport squadron in Korea from 14 December 1952 to 2 June 1953. Serving as squadron Operations Officer, Major Percy displayed exceptional ability, initiative and professional skill in the performance of his duties. Upon assuming his duties, he immediately proceeded to organize the section so that air operations could be conducted on a twenty-four hour basis seven days a week. He skillfully applied his thorough knowledge and practical experience in helicopter operations with such determination that squadron pilots were trained to perform missions under extremely unfavorable weather and other operating conditions. He accomplished this feat despite the extremely high pilot replacement rate. He further utilized his wealth of helicopter experience and adeptly perfected and expanded the capabilities of transport helicopters in their mission of supporting Marine forces in combat. By refusing to accept the operating limitations of the present helicopter, he was instrumental in proving that the helicopter had many new and valuable capabilities for supporting a division employed in static defense. Major Percy’s highly competent leadership, professional competence and exemplary conduct throughout served as an inspiration to all who observed him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Major Percy is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant James Gilbert Percy (MCSN: 0-10912), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-112) during action against enemy Japanese forces during World War II.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant James Gilbert Percy (MCSN: 0-10912), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-112) during action against enemy Japanese forces during World War II.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 112 (VMF-112)

    Regiment:

    Marine Air Group 14 (MAG-14)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    February 10 – May 6, 1943

    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 First Lieutenant James Gilbert Percy (MCSN: 0-10912), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-112) during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 10 February to 6 May 1943. Completing his sixtieth mission during this period, First Lieutenant Percy contributed materially to the success of his squadron in carrying out a bomb escort flight and combat air patrols in this area. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of hostile anti-aircraft fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.