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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Frederick Everett Kroeger, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Leader of a Division in Torpedo Squadron TWENTY-THREE (VT-23), attached to the U.S.S. LANGLEY (CV-27), in action against enemy Japanese forces near Kyushu, Japan, on 7 April 1945. Leading his division in a strike on major units of the Japanese Fleet despite weather conditions and hostile anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Kroeger attacked a light cruiser, scoring a direct torpedo hit which contributed materially to the sinking of the vessel immediately after the attack. His airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Torpedo Squadron 23 (VT-23)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Princeton (CVL-23)

    Action Date:

    November 1 – 19, 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 362 (April 1947)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Frederick Everett Kroeger, United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron TWENTY-THREE (VT-23), embarked in U.S.S. PRINCETON (CVL-23), over the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago from 1 to 19 November 1944.