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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Harold Lloyd Buell (NSN: 0-104297), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as leader of a strike of carrier based dive bomber airplanes of Bombing Squadron TWO (VB-2), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12) assigned to strike enemy shipping in a harbor of an island of the Philippine Group on 21 September 1944. In the face of intense, anti-aircraft fire from ship and shore batteries and the presence of enemy fighter aircraft, he led his group of planes in a determined and devastating attack, which sank an enemy destroyer maneuvering at high speed, himself scoring a direct hit. As he retired after this attack, he strafed a small enemy steam vessel, leaving it dead in the water, and afire. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 2 (VB-2)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12)

    Action Date:

    July 4 – 18, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Harold Lloyd Buell (NSN: 0-104297), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Scout Bomber Plane and Wing Leader in Bombing Squadron TWO (VB-2), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Guam and Chichi Jima from 4 July 1944 to 18 July 1944. Completing his fortieth mission during this period, Lieutenant Commander Buell carried out bombing and strafing attacks against hostile defenses and provided air support for our invasion troops, thereby contributing materially to the success of his squadron in the destruction of enemy shipping, airfields and other installations. His skilled airmanship and courageous devotion to duty in the face of heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander [then Ensign]

    Batallion:

    Scouting Squadron 5 (VS-5)

    Action Date:

    September 4 – 17, 1942

    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 [then Ensign] Harold Lloyd Buell (NSN: 0-104297), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Scout Bomber Plane in Scouting Squadron FIVE (VS-5) in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area from 4 September to 17 September 1942. Completing his twentieth mission during this period, Lieutenant Commander Buell carried out bombing attacks against hostile shipping and elements of the enemy fleet, thereby contributing to the success of his squadron in the destruction of enemy shipping and damaging of warships. His skilled airmanship and courageous devotion to duty in the face of heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Bombing Fighting Squadron 2 (VBF-2)

    Regiment:

    Air Group 2 (AG-2)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12)

    Action Date:

    June 20, 1944
    Commander Fast Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0438 (August 20, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Harold Lloyd Buell (NSN: 0-104297), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Flight Leader in Bombing Fighting Squadron TWO (VBF-2), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action against the enemy fleet in the vicinity of the East Philippine Sea on 20 June 1944. In the face of intense, accurate anti-aircraft fire, which blew a three-foot hole in his wing just after release, Lieutenant Buell led his division in a determined, devastating dive bombing attack, himself scoring a direct hit on the large enemy carrier under attack. Although wounded by a fragment from the shell that hit is wing, he flew his severely damaged plane through the night back to our carrier forces. By his brilliant airmanship, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant Buell contributed materially to the success of our operations in this historic engagement, and his great personal valor in the face of grave peril was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Scouting Squadron 5 (VS-5)

    Action Date:

    August 28, 1942

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Harold Lloyd Buell, United States Naval Reserve, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action as Pilot of a Bombing Plane in an attack near Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands, on 28 August 1942. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.