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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 Commander John Devereux Blitch (NSN: 0-77143), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Pacific Area from 15 July 1944 to 19 July 1944. Commander Blitch completed twenty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 14 (VB-14)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Wasp (CV-18)

    Action Date:

    June 20, 1944
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0543 (September 16, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander John Devereux Blitch (NSN: 0-77143), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron FOURTEEN (VB-14), attached to the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), in action against the enemy fleet in the vicinity of the East Philippine Sea on 20 June 1944. While acting as strike leader of a force of carrier-based aircraft, Lieutenant Commander Blitch led his strike to the absolute maximum range of his dive bombing aircraft in search of units of the Japanese fleet. After sighting a group of enemy tankers but no major combatant units of the enemy force, he then led his flight on a search for enemy carriers fifty miles to the south, well-knowing that the fuel remaining in his dive bombing planes including his own plane would probably not permit a safe return to friendly forces. After failing to find enemy forces to the south, he led his aircraft back to the force of enemy tankers and destroyers and in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, of all types, and enemy fighter opposition, conducted an effective and damaging attack on them with the planes under his control, which resulted in the sinking of two tankers of supply ships, one destroyer, the damaging of two tankers and one destroyer, and the destruction of five enemy aircraft. By his brilliant airmanship, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant Commander Blitch 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 14 (VB-14)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Wasp (CV-18)

    Action Date:

    September 24 – October 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 Commander John Devereux Blitch (NSN: 0-77143), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Pacific Area from 24 September 1944 to 18 October 1944. Commander Blitch completed his fortieth flight in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron

    Division:

    U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)

    Action Date:

    February 1, 1942

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant John Devereux Blitch (NSN: 0-77143), United States Navy, for heroic conduct in action. As Division Leader of a bombing squadron, he led his division in repeated attacks upon enemy objectives during the Marshall Islands attack, 1 February 1942. In the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire his division made several successful dive bombing and strafing attacks against enemy ships and shore installations. He scored direct hits on a cargo vessel, an oil storage tank, an enemy heavy bombing plane on the ground, and silenced an anti-aircraft gun. His leadership and resourcefulness were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 14 (VB-14)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Wasp (CV-18)

    Action Date:

    September 21, 1944
    Commander, 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01229 (1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander John Devereux Blitch (NSN: 0-77143), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Commanding Officer of Bombing Squadron FOURTEEN (VB-14), attached to the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 21 September 1944. In the face of intense anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition, Commander Blitch led a flight of bomber, torpedo and fighter planes in a determined attack against enemy shipping, personally scoring a direct hit on a floating dry-dock and contributing materially to the extensive damage inflicted on the hostile installations. His expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Commander Blitch and the United States Naval Service.