The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant John James Van Buren (NSN: 0-81539), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism while participating in aerial flight, while serving as Pilot of an airplane during the attacks upon Japanese installations in the Marshall and Gilbert Islands on 31 January 1942 and 1 February 1942. Lieutenant Van Buren, through skillful handling of his plane and excellent marksmanship, shot down one of the enemy fighters which attacked the formation in which he was flying, and then continued the attack. While returning to his carrier, Lieutenant Van Buren was jumped by another enemy fighter and his airplane was riddled with bullets. He skillfully maneuvered his craft so that his radio-gunner, who though wounded but courageously manned the free machine gun, was able to shoot down the enemy plane. He then safely landed his airplane on his aircraft carrier despite the damage.
Sponsored by:
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Cemetery:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Navy Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantAction Date:
January 31 & February 1, 1942
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 304 (July 1942) -
Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior GradeBatallion:
Bombing Squadron 6 (VB-6)Division:
U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)Action Date:
June 4 – 6, 1942
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John James Van Buren (NSN: 0-81539), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron SIX (VB-6), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the “Air Battle of Midway,” against enemy Japanese forces on 4 – 6 June 1942. Defying extreme danger from concentrated anti-aircraft barrage and powerful fighter opposition, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Van Buren, with bold determination and courageous zeal, led his squadron in dive-bombing assaults against Japanese naval units. Flying at a distance from his own forces which rendered return unlikely because of probable fuel exhaustion, he pressed home his attacks with extreme disregard for his own personal safety. His gallant intrepidity and loyal devotion to duty contributed greatly to the success of our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.