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The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Edward Emmet DeGarmo (NSN: 0-85002), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer of a carrier-based Torpedo Squadron assigned to attack elements of the Japanese fleet in Hiroshima Bay on 18 March 1945. In the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from enemy warships and surrounding shore batteries during his approach to the target he led his flight on a skillfully executed glide bombing attack against a large fleet tanker and a screening destroyer, scoring direct hits which stopped both vessels dead in the water and in flames. His courageous leadership and determined prosecution of this attack were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Torpedo Squadron 82 (VT-82)

    Regiment:

    Air Group 82 (AG-82)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20)

    Action Date:

    May 22, 1945
    Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0594 (July 2, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Edward Emmet DeGarmo (NSN: 0-85002), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight Pilot of a carrier-based Torpedo Bomber on 22 May 1945. He made a bombing attack upon an enemy transport and two escorting patrol craft proceeding southward through the East China Sea to reinforce the Nansei Shoto Area. In spite of low cloud ceiling and in the face of accurate anti-aircraft fire he scored a bomb hit which broke the back of the transport and contributed to the expeditious destruction of the entire enemy fore. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Torpedo Squadron 82 (VT-82)

    Regiment:

    Air Group 82 (AG-82)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20)

    Action Date:

    February 16 – June 3, 1945
    Commander, 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01394 (June 23, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Edward Emmet DeGarmo (NSN: 0-85002), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy in the vicinity of Tokyo, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, the Nansei Shoto and the Japanese home islands of Honshu and Kyushu. As pilot of a carrier-based torpedo-bomber during the period from 16 February to 3 June 1945, he participated in forty strikes, inflicting extensive damage upon enemy shipping, airfields, and military installations. His determination, courage, and professional skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Torpedo Squadron 82 (VT-82)

    Regiment:

    Air Group 82 (AG-82)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20)

    Action Date:

    April 6, 1945
    Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0592 (July 4, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Edward Emmet DeGarmo (NSN: 0-85002), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer of a carrier-based Torpedo Squadron operating in support of landing and ground operations on Okinawa Shima on 6 April 1945. Engaging in his twentieth combat flight since 16 February 1945, against the defenses of the inner Japanese Empire he led his squadron in determined attacks against enemy airfields, artillery emplacements, and defensive positions, affording invaluable aid to the progress of the advancing ground forces. His courageous leadership, determination and skill in the execution of these attacks were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Torpedo Squadron 82 (VT-82)

    Regiment:

    Air Group 82 (AG-82)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20)

    Action Date:

    April 7, 1945
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0592 (July 4, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Edward Emmet DeGarmo (NSN: 0-85002), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron EIGHTY-TWO (VT-82), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in action against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet in the East China Sea, on 7 April 1945. Leading the strike group to the position of the hostile Task Force, Lieutenant Commander DeGarmo ordered the initial torpedo attack against the cruisers and destroyers protecting a Japanese battleship and, flying low through a barrage of intense anti-aircraft fire, aided in scoring direct hits on two cruisers and a destroyer which exploded upon impact. His inspiring leadership and devotion to the fulfillment of a hazardous mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Torpedo Squadron 82 (VT-82)

    Regiment:

    Air Group 82 (AG-82)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20)

    Action Date:

    June 3, 1945
    Commander, 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01394 (June 23, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Edward Emmet DeGarmo (NSN: 0-85002), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while participating in aerial flights as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron EIGHTY-TWO (VT-82), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), engaged on special missions in close support of ground operations on Okinawa on 3 June 1945. He materially assisted in sustaining the progress of the ground forces by dropping needed supplies and equipment to forward elements in repeated minimum level glides over advance positions. These missions were accomplished during the advance of our forces against determined enemy resistance and in the face of concentrated anti-aircraft fire. As he completed his final mission of the day his plane was struck by enemy anti-aircraft fire which engulfed the engine in flames. In spite of the flames which quickly enveloped the cockpit and of the progressively severe burns he suffered therefrom, he crash-landed his plane within friendly territory so skillfully as to save his aircrewman from all but minor burns and injuries. His cool courage and determination despite his own severe wounds and his superb airmanship were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Torpedo Squadron 82 (VT-82)

    Regiment:

    Air Group 82 (AG-82)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20)

    Action Date:

    February 16, 1945
    Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0281 (March 30, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Edward Emmet DeGarmo (NSN: 0-85002), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while participating in aerial flights as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron EIGHTY-TWO (VT-82), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), on 16 February 1945. He skillfully led his squadron in the execution of its assigned missions against enemy installations on Hachijo Jima. In operations at low level, in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, he led his squadron with exemplary courage and determination, sustaining severe damage to his own aircraft in pressing home the attacks. The same day, on a second flight, he attacked airfield installations and scored direct hits on two hangars. His inspiring leadership, his courage, and devotion to duty throughout these operations were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.