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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 Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Walter Albert Haas, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THREE (VF-3), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the “Air Battle of Midway,” against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Haas took off from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN to defend her against aerial torpedo attack by Japanese forces. Due to circumstances which had rendered the fueling of his plane impossible, he faced the hazardous prospect of aerial combat with only a small fraction of his gasoline capacity available. Despite the fact that his plane, shortly after becoming airborne, was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire directed by our own ships against the attacking enemy, he pressed home such a vigorous assault against a Japanese Torpedo Plane that it eventually made a wild release of its torpedo. Following up his attack with determined persistence, he shortly afterwards observed the craft crash into the sea. The outstanding courage and determined skill displayed by Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Haas were at all times inspiring and 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:

    Fighting Squadron 42 (VF-42)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)

    Action Date:

    May 7 & 8, 1942
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 307 (October 1942) & 311 (February 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Walter Albert Haas, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FORTY-TWO (VF-42), 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 and 8 May 1942. As part of a fighter escort on 7 May, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire over enemy ships, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Haas pressed home his attack and shot down two enemy fighters, thereby assisting in the successful execution of a mission by our Torpedo Planes. On 8 May, after assisting in the destruction of a Japanese patrol bomber and one dive bomber, he again displayed extraordinary daring in an attack on fifteen enemy aircraft, following the enemy bombers down in their dive, even into the area of anti-aircraft fire from our own ships, thereby frustrating the success of the enemy attack. In these engagements Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Haas displayed a high degree of courage, executing his missions with complete disregard for his own safety against heavy odds. His throughout reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.