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Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Elwood Charles Mildahn, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during September and October 1942. Although attacked by two Japanese planes while engaging a destroyer off Choiseul Island in the Solomon Islands, Lieutenant Mildahn courageously led a two-plane section through heavy anti-aircraft fire to bomb and strafe the enemy warship. Later, he participated in an attack on six transports and eight destroyers, sinking one transport and damaging other vessels.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    Patrol-Bombing Squadron 102 (VPB-102)

    Action Date:

    May 9, 1945
    Commander Marianas: Serial 7426 (July 24, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Elwood Charles Mildahn, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy Patrol Plane in Patrol-Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWO (VPB-102), in action against enemy forces on Japanese-held Marcus Island on 9 May 1945. Braving intense anti-aircraft fire from fully alerted enemy defenses, Lieutenant Commander Mildahn pressed home a low-level attack on a hangar and shop area and, despite damage sustained on his own plane during the run, succeeded in scoring effective hits on the airfield and inflicting extensive damage on his assigned target. His expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Elwood Charles Mildahn, United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II.