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Courtney
Shands
December 1, 1905

–

November 21, 1968

Courtney Shands graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1927. He became a World War II Navy ACE, credited with shooting down six enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He retired as a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    U.S.S. Oriskany (CVA-34)

    Action Date:

    November 1, 1952 – April 21, 1953
    All Hands (May 1954)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Courtney Shands, United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. ORISKANY (CVA-34), from 1 November 1952 to 21 April 1953. (Captain Shands is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 71 (VF-71)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Wasp (CV-7)

    Action Date:

    August 7, 1942
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 313 (April 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Courtney Shands, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron SEVENTY-ONE (VF-71), attached to the U.S.S. WASP (CV-7), in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 7 August 1942. Leading his fighter squadron in the initial air assault on Japanese positions on the Solomon Islands, Lieutenant Commander Shands’ flight destroyed seven enemy fighters and 15 patrol planes. This victory eliminated all local air opposition in the area, thus greatly contributing to the successful occupation of the islands by American ground forces. Lieutenant Commander Shands personally shot down four Japanese fighters and two patrol planes. His outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.