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 John Carlos Cleves Symmes (NSN: 0-125720), 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 FIFTEEN (VF-15, attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. In the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire and airborne opposition, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Symmes made a direct hit with his bomb on an enemy carrier which materially contributed to its sinking. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Navy Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior GradeBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 15 (VF-15)Division:
U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)Action Date:
June 21 – August 3, 1943
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Carlos Cleves Symmes (NSN: 0-125720), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Grumman F-4F fighters from 21 June to 3 August 1943. During this time he participated in thirty-nine combat missions over enemy bases and shipping, while serving as escort or on patrol. On 30 June 1943, when eighteen to twenty-seven enemy bombers and an unknown number of Zeroes attacked our landing force at Rendova Island, he personally shot down two Zeroes in flames. On 4 July 1943, his flight broke up the entire leading flight of enemy bombers before they could get to our shipping near Rendova Island. He shot down one bomber in flames. On 22 July 1943, while escorting Torpedo bombers to the Kahili area, his flight accounted for five enemy planes. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Symmes personally shot down one Zero and teamed with his flight leader in shooting down a second. On 25 July 1943, while on patrol over Rendova Island, a large enemy force of bombers and fighters attacked our installations. Lieutenant, Junior Grade Symmes went to the aid of an Army P-40 pilot and shot down one Zero.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior GradeBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 15 (VF-15)Division:
U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)Action Date:
June 23, 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, Junior Grade John Carlos Cleves Symmes (NSN: 0-125720), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 23 June 1944 over an island of the Marianas Group. As pilot of a carrier based fighter airplane, and while greatly outnumbered, he attacked and destroyed two enemy fighter planes in aerial combat, and assisted materially in the destruction of twelve others. Just prior to this action he destroyed an enemy fighter airplane and an enemy dive bomber, both while airborne. His heroism, coolness, courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior GradeBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 15 (VF-15)Division:
U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)Action Date:
October 12, 1944
Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 00110 (December 20, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Carlos Cleves Symmes (NSN: 0-125720), 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 FIFTEEN (VF-15, attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces while assigned to a fighter sweep mission against enemy aircraft in the vicinity of Formosa on 12 October 1944. In the face of intense anti-aircraft fire Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Symmes pressed home a mast-head level bombing attack against an escort gunboat, securing a direct hit which caused it to sink immediately. He then escorted a seriously damaged friendly torpedo bomber airplane until it was forced to crash land at sea, close to enemy-held positions. While directing rescue operations an enemy ship attempted to capture the downed airmen. Single-handedly, he attacked the cargo ship repeatedly in the face of its anti-aircraft fire, starting large fires and explosions by strafing. The enemy ship was completely gutted by fire and abandoned, the crew taking to the power boat and persisting in their attempts to capture the downed airmen. He then strafed the power boat, sinking it and thus preventing the capture. He continued his direction of the operations until the rescue was successfully completed. While returning to his carrier, he sighted a small enemy cargo ship which he repeatedly strafed, leaving it in flames and attempting to beach itself. His heroism, courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.