Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Harry Donald Felt, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane and Group Commander of Air Group THREE (AG-3), attached to the U.S.S. SARATOGA (CV-3), in action against an enemy Japanese surface force northeast of the Solomon Islands, on 24 August 1942. Opposed by intense anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighter planes, Commander Felt led an air attack which resulted in the damaging or sinking of an aircraft carrier, the damaging of a heavy enemy cruiser and the sinking of a Japanese destroyer. His daring initiative and his successful accomplishment of a hazardous mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Admiral

    Action Date:

    July 1958 – June 1964
    All Hands (November 1964)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Harry Donald Felt, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander in Chief, Pacific, from July 1958 through June 1964. Admiral Felt combined sound judgment and political acumen with an extraordinary ability to command large military forces. During a period of continued turbulence, unrest, and armed conflict in the Pacific Command, marked by a crisis in the Taiwan Straits in 1958, a series of crises in Laos extending from 1960 to the present, and continued turmoil in Vietnam culminating in the current crucial operations against the Viet Cong, he demonstrated exceptional military and diplomatic skill in positioning forces and taking actions to meet the threat of aggression. As U.S. Military Advisor to the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, Admiral Felt, by his unwavering fairness and objectivity, earned the respect, admiration, and trust of the representatives of all member nations.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    U.S.S. Chenango (CVE-28)

    Action Date:

    May 2 – June 14, 1945
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 363 (May 1947)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Harry Donald Felt, United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. CHENANGO (CVE-28) in operations in the Ryukyu Islands from 2 May 1945 to 14 June 1945.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Regiment:

    Air Group 3 (AG-3)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Saratoga (CV-3)

    Action Date:

    August 7 – 8, 1942
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 315 (June 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Harry Donald Felt, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight for skillfully directing vigorous and persistent attacks of his air group against hostile ground forces and installations thereby contributing materially to the repulse of the Japanese and the success of our occupation forces, during the action in the Guadalcanal-Tulagi area on 7 – 8 August 1942.