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Navy Federal Credit Union

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, Junior Grade Brainard Tucker Macomber, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THREE (VF-3), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the “Air Battle of Midway,” against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. As Section Leader in a division of fighters engaged in escorting our attacking torpedo planes, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Macomber, although heavily outnumbered, repeatedly counterattacked and out-maneuvered Japanese fighter assaults. Being the last man in a line astern formation, his plane, withstanding the brunt of attacks, received at least three hits by enemy cannon and thirty by machine gun bullets. His superb airmanship in this engagement made it possible to maintain the formation of escort fighter planes essential to the successful aerial torpedo attack against enemy surface vessels. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Macomber displayed exceptional tactical skill in teamwork technique and courageous initiative, acting at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 42 (VF-42)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)

    Action Date:

    May 7 & 8, 1942

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Brainard Tucker Macomber, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane of Fighting Squadron FORTY-TWO (VF-42), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against Japanese forces on 7 and 8 May 1942, during the Air Battle of the Coral Sea. On 7 May, as leader of a two-plane section providing fighter escort for our own torpedo planes, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Macomber skillfully and aggressively countered enemy fighter opposition, thus enabling our torpedo planes to press home their attack which resulted in the sinking of an enemy Japanese aircraft carrier. The same night, he, himself, shot down an enemy plane while engaged in dispersing a group of enemy scout bombers and upon returning to his ship in darkness, he daringly engaged three planes circling our carrier. Again, on 8 May, while on combat air patrol, he boldly intercepted enemy planes attacking our own defending scout bombers. Throughout these engagements with the enemy he displayed outstanding skill, leadership, and complete disregard for his own safety.