Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Frederick
Dale
Forger

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 94 (VB-94)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16)

    Action Date:

    July 28, 1945
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01899 (September 22, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Frederick Dale Forger (NSN: 0-106285), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Strike Leader of eleven Bomber Planes of Bombing Squadron NINETY-FOUR (VB-94), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the Inland Sea of Japan, on 28 July 1945. Braving heavy anti-aircraft fire from enemy Naval and shore batteries, Lieutenant Commander Forger pressed home his attack on a large Japanese battleship and scored a direct hit with a heavy-caliber bomb. In addition, he skillfully led fighter, torpedo and bomber aircraft and contributed materially to the infliction of extensive damage on an enemy cruiser, aircraft carrier and battleship. His unfaltering leadership and courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 94 (VB-94)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16)

    Action Date:

    July 24, 1945
    Commander, 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01893 (September 21, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Frederick Dale Forger (NSN: 0-106285), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Flight Leader in Bombing Squadron NINETY-FOUR (VB-94), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the Inland Sea of Japan, on 24 July 1945. Fearlessly disregarding intense anti-aircraft fire sent up from surrounding warships and shore batteries, Lieutenant Commander Forger skillfully direct a coordinated attack by fighter, bomber and torpedo planes against the enemy ships and leading a group of bombers, personally scored a damaging near miss close aboard the battleship ISE, thereby contributing materially to the success of his flight in inflicting extensive damage on the hostile fleet. His expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.