The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Robert Faulkner Farrington, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while commanding a Torpedo Squadron in an attack on warships at Rabaul, 5 November 1943. Lieutenant Commander Farrington approached low over the crowded harbor to score hits on four heavy Japanese cruisers and two destroyers. Returning, he flew through heavy cross fire and repulsed vigorous attacks by enemy fighters. His tactics aided in preventing the assembled Japanese warships from shelling our landing forces at Bougainville.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Navy Cross
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Navy Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Torpedo SquadronAction Date:
November 1 – 19, 1943
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 332 (November 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 Lieutenant Commander Robert Faulkner Farrington, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer of a Torpedo Bombing Squadron from 1 to 19 November 1943. Lieutenant Commander Farrington led his squadron against Buka and Bonis airfields on Bougainville, one extremely damaging attack against Japanese warships in Rabaul Harbor, and three strikes against the heavily-fortified Nauru Island.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantBatallion:
Torpedo Squadron 2 (VT-2)Division:
U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2)Action Date:
May 7, 1942
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Robert Faulkner Farrington, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron TWO (VT-2), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Air Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 May 1942. In the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition, Lieutenant Farrington pressed home an attack against an enemy Japanese aircraft carrier to within the perilously short range of a few hundred yards of his target. By complete disregard for his own personal safety and resolute purpose in carrying out his mission, he was able to score a hit on the enemy carrier, thereby contributing to the destruction of that vessel and to the success of our forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea. His conduct on this occasion was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantBatallion:
Torpedo Squadron 2 (VT-2)Division:
U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2)Action Date:
March 10, 1942
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Robert Faulkner Farrington, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron TWO (VT-2), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces over enemy-controlled waters near Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea on 10 March 1942. Lieutenant Farrington pressed home, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, a vigorous and determined dive bombing attack on enemy ships, sinking three of them. His outstanding courage, daring airmanship and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.