Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
James
W.
Sweeney

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 94 (VB-94)

    Regiment:

    Air Group 94 (AG-94)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington

    Action Date:

    July 18, 1945
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01890 (September 21, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade James W. Sweeney (NSN: 0-354946), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron NINETY-FOUR (VB-94), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in a coordinated attack against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the Yokosuka Navy Yard, Honshu, Japan, on 18 July 1945. In this action, in which he attacked an enemy battleship, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Sweeney skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire from both warships and land installations, and scored a direct hit which contributed materially to the vital damaging of this vessel. His expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 94 (VB-94)

    Regiment:

    Air Group 94 (AG-94)

    Division:

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

    Action Date:

    July 28, 1945
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01952 (September 26, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade James W. Sweeney, United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron NINETY-FOUR (VB-94), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in an attack against major units of the Japanese Fleet dispersed among the islands of the Inland Sea, Japan, on 28 July 1945. In the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Sweeney pressed home his attack on an enemy battleship so skillfully that he obtained a hit near the water line which produced extensive underwater damage to this vessel. His expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.