The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Bruce Wade Williams, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Division Leader in Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VF-19) attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), while assigned to strike major Japanese Fleet Units on 25 October 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in the Philippine Islands. While participating in a strike on units of the enemy fleet, Lieutenant Williams led his division through intense anti-aircraft fire on a strafing and glide bombing attack. He personally dropped a five hundred pound bomb on a battleship which was left damaged by the vigorous attack of our aircraft. He then made repeated strafing runs on destroyers and severely damaged one. This was accomplished in spite of anti-aircraft fire at low altitudes. Lieutenant Williams’ inspiring courage, daring tactics, and fearless devotion to duty in the face of hazardous flying conditions reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 19 (VF-19)Division:
U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16)Action Date:
October 24, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Bruce Wade Williams, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemy forces on 24 October 1944. When the division he was leading in a long range search to the west of one of the Philippine Islands encountered a large group of enemy aircraft, he took his division of three into an immediate attack. He led so skillfully that five twin-engined bombers were shot down of which he personally shot down three and no loss was suffered from the enemy fighter escort.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 19 (VF-19)Division:
U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16)Action Date:
October 21, 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 Bruce Wade Williams, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot in a carrier based fighter aircraft on 21 October 1944. When on a shrike against installations in one of the Philippine Islands he searched out and attacked a group of camouflaged barges which he strafed. As terrific explosion followed indicating they were loaded with ammunition. Three cargo ships near by were demolished and the plane was blown two hundred feet up through the debris. Quickly orienting himself, in spite of a dazed condition, he flew an aircraft which had to be stripped and discarded back to the base.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 19 (VF-19)Division:
U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16)Action Date:
September 22, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Bruce Wade Williams, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemy forces on 22 September 1944. When the bomber aircraft his division of fighters was escorting on a mission against shipping in the Philippine Islands was attacked by enemy aircraft, he led the division so skillfully that no enemy planes were able to damage our bombers. Four of the enemy aircraft were shot down, he personally accounting for two of them. Again on 12 October he skillfully led his division in protecting bombers against attack over Formosa and personally shot one down, no losses being suffered by his own flight in either instance.