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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Robert Page Ross (NSN: 0-84339), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane of Carrier Air Group ONE (CAG-1), during action in which he scored a bomb hit amidships on an enemy battleship at Kure Naval Base in the heart of the Japanese homeland, on 24 July 1945. As the leader of twelve carrier based bombing fighting planes, Lieutenant Ross pressed home an attack in the face of intense heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire from battleships, cruisers, aircraft carriers and smaller war craft as well as from shore batteries of all calibers. On retirement he encountered approximately twenty fighter planes, alerted the striking force and, with his own fighter team, fought off and prevented any of the enemy fighters from reaching the bomber formation which he was escorting. His determination and heroic conduct were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Regiment:

    Carrier Air Group 1 (CAG-1)

    Action Date:

    August 10, 1945
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01919 (September 22, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Robert Page Ross (NSN: 0-84339), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane of Carrier Air Group ONE (CAG-1), while leading twelve carrier based fighter planes which sought out and destroyed twenty-two cleverly-camouflaged and widely dispersed enemy aircraft on Manurogawa Airfield in the heart of the Japanese homeland on 10 August 1945. In repeated strafing runs on this Honshu Islands field, Lieutenant Ross’ division alone burned seventeen planes of which he destroyed six. Under his skillful leadership his flight deliberately flew over the airfield at a very low level destroying every plane it found and retired only after exhaustion of its ammunition and supply made further search for aircraft futile. His leadership, disregard for personal safety, and able determination to inflict damage upon the enemy, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.