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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Melvin Carl Hoffman, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a fighter pilot operating near Marcus and Wake Islands during World War II. Lieutenant Hoffman made strafing runs in which he set fire to gasoline storage and silenced anti-aircraft batteries. He led two strafing attacks on grounded aircraft in complete darkness, and shot down two enemy fighters under very difficult conditions of morning twilight.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 1 (VF-1)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20)

    Action Date:

    July 24, 1945
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01901 (September 22, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Melvin Carl Hoffman, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron ONE (VF-1), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), during action against enemy Japanese forces at the Kure Naval Base, Japan, on 24 July 1945. As flight leader of his air group’s strike, Lieutenant Commander Hoffman pressed home his attack on an enemy aircraft carrier and, despite intense anti-aircraft fire from hostile warships and shore installations, scored a direct bomb hit on his target and contributed materially to the success of his squadron in inflicting severe damage on a battleship and two other aircraft carriers. His courage and airmanship reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Commander Hoffman and the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Action Date:

    December 4, 1943
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 333 (December 1944)

    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 Melvin Carl Hoffman, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. After escorting bomber planes safely tot heir target at Kwajalein on 4 December 1943, Lieutenant Hoffman attacked and shot down one seaplane and burned two others on the seaplane ramp. When his team was attacked by 19 enemy fighters, he skillfully handled the tactical maneuvers of his entire team and worked his way back to the rendezvous point.