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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 Commander Robert B. Buchan (NSN: 0-81597), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as leader of a dive bombing squadron in a strike against enemy naval air installations on the Japanese home island of Kyushu on 18 March 1945. Despite unfavorable weather conditions which necessitated a low altitude attack and in the face of anti-aircraft fire he led his squadron in the attack with great skill and determination and personally scored four direct bomb hits on an aircraft assembly and repair shop. The rest of his squadron scored many other damaging bomb hits on hangars, repair shops, parked aircraft and fuel tanks, causing great damage to this important enemy naval air base. His skill and resourcefulness in planning and directing the attack as well as his complete disregard for his own safety in leading the attack contributed materially to its success. His courage, determination and devotion to duty as a leader of this attack were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 2 (VB-2)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2)

    Action Date:

    March 10, 1942
    Commander In Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 6 (April 27, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert B. Buchan (NSN: 0-81597), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron TWO (VB-2), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces over enemy-controlled waters near Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea on 10 March 1942. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Buchan pressed home, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, a vigorous and determined dive bombing attack on enemy ships, sinking three of them. His outstanding courage, daring airmanship and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Regiment:

    Combat Air Group 10

    Action Date:

    March 26, 1945

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Robert B. Buchan (NSN: 0-81597), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism while participating in aerial flights in operations against the enemy in the vicinity of Nansei Shoto. As leader of a group of carrier-based dive bombers, in the face of heavy and intense anti-aircraft fire, he courageously and skillfully led a strike against an important enemy air installation on 26 March 1945, scoring a direct bomb hit on an ammunition dump causing it to explode. On the following day he planned and led a strike against the same enemy air field and in the face of exceptionally heavy anti-aircraft fire and planes destroyed ammunition stores, barracks, a radio station, caused serious damage to an assembly and repair building and other installations. During his dive he was struck by anti-aircraft fire and forced to make a water landing near the enemy base but was later recovered. As a result of his leader ship severe damage was done to this important enemy air installation which greatly lessened its use by the enemy against our forces on Okinawa. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 2 (VB-2)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2)

    Action Date:

    May 7, 1942
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 307 (October 1942)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert B. Buchan (NSN: 0-81597), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron TWO (VB-2), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Air Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 May 1942. In the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Buchan, leading a flight of his squadron, dived his plane at an enemy Japanese aircraft carrier and released his bomb with calm accuracy. By grim determination and expert appraisal of his objective, he contributed materially to the high percentage of hits inflicted by his particular squadron and assisted in ultimate destruction of the enemy carrier. His individual action was an important factor in the collective success of those United States Naval forces which engaged in the enemy in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Buchans’ outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.