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Navy Federal Credit Union
Robert
F.
Edmondson
January 13, 1917

–

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Action Date:

    September 24, 1944
    Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Robert F. Edmondson, United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Leader of a Division of carrier-based Fighter Planes in an assigned strike mission against enemy shipping in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, on 24 September 1944. After skillfully making the longest combat flight to an enemy target of his Naval service, Lieutenant Edmondson sighted and immediately attacked, amid intense anti-aircraft fire from the ship’s guns, a large enemy tanker. With great hazard to his own life, he made a low-level bombing assault. His bomb squarely hit the vessel amidships, causing a terrific explosion, and the breaking and sinking of the ship. His high cool courage, disregard for his own safety, and his personal destruction of an important enemy ship caused this singular action to be performed with distinction in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 2 (VB-2)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2)

    Action Date:

    May 8, 1942

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Robert F. Edmondson, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron TWO (VT-2), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces on 8 May 1942, in the Air Battle of the Coral Sea. In the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire and against powerful fighter opposition, Ensign Edmondson participated in an attack upon an enemy Japanese carrier which resulted in the sinking or severe damaging of the carrier. His extreme courage and gallant conduct contributed greatly to the success of our forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant]

    Division:

    U.S.S. Langley

    Action Date:

    March 31 & April 21 – 29, 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 357 (December 1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Robert F. Edmondson, United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a plane in Air Group 32, U.S.S. LANGLEY, over Palau, Tanahmerah, and Truk Atoll on 31 March 1944 and from 21 to 29 April 1944.