Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Jackson
Dominick
Arnold
November 3, 1912

–

December 8, 2007

Cemetery:

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

Jackson Arnold graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1934. He was at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, and managed to shoot down a Japanese torpedo plane with a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) from the ground. He subsequently shot down FOUR enemy aircraft in aerial combat but was denied ACE status because his first victory was a ground-to-air shoot down. He retired as an Admiral in the U.S. Navy.

Awards Received

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Admiral

    Action Date:

    August 1967 – December 1971

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Jackson Dominick Arnold (NSN: 0-73500/1510), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Vice Chief of naval Material from August 1967 to May 1970, as Acting Chief of Naval material from June 1970 to September 1970, and as Chief of naval Material from October 1970 to December 1971. Exercising brilliant insight and professional competence in the management of the vast resources which comprise the Navy’s support establishment, Admiral Arnold was eminently successful in carrying out his exacting responsibilities which included planning, research, development, production, maintenance, and support of all weapons systems and ships for the fleet. Throughout Admiral Arnold’s service as Vice Chief and later as Chief of naval Material, his managerial and technical expertise were significant factors enabling the United States Navy to develop and introduce into the fleet numerous major weapons, aircraft and ships. He provided expert guidance to project managers, enabling them to direct their efforts toward production of the material and equipment necessary for the defense of the nation. Admiral Arnold has been instrumental in effecting major improvements to the management of material procurement within the Navy and the Department of Defense. He has enhanced the Naval Material Command’s response to the needs of the fleet and contributed substantially to the capability of the Navy to meet its worldwide commitments while simultaneously engaged in armed conflict against hostile forces in Southeast Asia. By his sound judgment, superior managerial ability, and inspiring dedication to the fulfillment of his vital responsibilities, Admiral Arnold reflected the highest credit upon himself and his command, and upheld the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Regiment:

    Air Group 2 (AG-2)

    Division:

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

    Action Date:

    September 21, 1944
    Commander, 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0918 (January 13, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Jackson Dominick Arnold (NSN: 0-73500/1510), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer, Air Group TWO (AG-2), operating from the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action against enemy Japanese forces in Manila Harbor, on 21 September 1944. With the enemy alerted by an earlier assault, Commander Arnold directed naval air units in a second furious raid on important Japanese shipping activities and shore installations. Leading his group with relentless determination in a brilliantly conceived and well coordinated attack, he struck with devastating speed, power and skill to destroy two important enemy vessels and inflict extensive damage on other units of the hostile merchant Fleet and on the Marine railway running along shore. A daring combat flyer, Commander Arnold succeeded in obtaining a complete pictorial record of the fierce action which was subsequently of material assistance in planning future operations against the enemy. By his brilliant leadership, bold tactics and perseverance in the face of powerful opposition, Commander Arnold contributed essentially to the success of our aerial offensive in this strategic area and his undaunted courage and decisive conduct throughout a period of fierce hostilities upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Regiment:

    Air Group 2 (AG-2)

    Division:

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

    Action Date:

    July 7 – 18, 1944

    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 Commander Jackson Dominick Arnold (NSN: 0-73500/1510), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane and Commander of Air Group TWO, attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Guam from 7 July to 18 July 1944. Completing his twentieth mission during this period, Commander Arnold executed bombing and strafing attacks against hostile installations, inflicting damage on enemy shipping, airfields and other defenses in support of our invasion forces. His skill and courageous devotion to duty in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire and aerial opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Batallion:

    Torpedo Squadron 2 (VT-2)

    Regiment:

    Air Group 2 (AG-2)

    Division:

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

    Action Date:

    April 21 – 30, 1944
    Commander Fast Carrier Task Force: Serial 0196 (June 12, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Jackson Dominick Arnold (NSN: 0-73500/1510), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Commander of Torpedo Squadron TWO, attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Hollandia, New Guinea Area, 21, 23 and 24 April and on Truk Islands, 29 and 30 April 1944. Leading his squadron in attacks on enemy installations, Commander Arnold destroyed three enemy twin-engined medium bombers on the ground at Wakde and wiped out a large enemy anti-aircraft gun position near the airstrip. During the action against Truk Islands in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, he directed attacks which inflicted heavy damage on fuel and ammunition dumps, barracks and large warehouse areas. On one attack against a heavy anti-aircraft gun position, he obtained one direct rocket hit out of the salvo fired and neutralized the fire from the enemy emplacement for the remainder of the operation. His courage, airmanship and indomitable fighting spirit reflect the highest credit upon Commander Arnold and the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]

    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: Serial 0438 (August 20, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Jackson Dominick Arnold (NSN: 0-73500/1510), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Group Commander and Flight Leader in Bombing Fighting Squadron TWO (VBF-2), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the First Battle of the Philippine Sea on 20 June 1944. Participating in a strike against hostile surface units, Commander Arnold scored a damaging near miss on a carrier and directed his flight in damaging and probably destroying the enemy vessel and in obtaining a torpedo hit on a cruiser. After leading his flight back to base, he assisted several in his group in landing under extremely difficult conditions and in darkness before boarding his carrier. By his skill as an airman and leadership, Admiral Arnold upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.