The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade, John Louis Wirth, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against enemy Japanese as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31) attached to the U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28) in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, 13 September 1944. Alert and aggressive in combat, Lieutenant Wirth participated in a pre-dawn take-off to attack a vastly superior number of enemy planes. Flying through intense anti-aircraft fire, he closed the formation with bold determination to blast three Japanese planes from the sky and probably destroyed a fourth. Flying his plane with skill and daring, he strafed the airfield and destroyed a large transport plane parked on the ground. His actions, without regard for his own safety, reflect great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Awards Received
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Navy Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior GradeBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 31 (VF-31)Division:
U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28)Action Date:
June 19, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Louis Wirth, 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 THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28), during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 19 June 1944. As a member of a twelve-plane fighter group flying combat air patrol over his Task Group, he answered a call to intercept an enemy group of thirty or more fighters about fifty miles distant and, gallantly leading his air group in the face of these heavy odds, pressed home repeated attacks against the enemy and was personally responsible for the destruction of four of the fifteen hostile aircraft shot down by the six planes from his carrier. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Wirth’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior GradeBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 31 (VF-31)Division:
U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28)Action Date:
August 4, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Louis Wirth, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in action against enemy Japanese forces, operating from the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Bonin Islands, on 4 August 1944. Participating in a daring fighter sweep, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Wirth pressed home a bold and aggressive attack against an enemy light cruiser, scoring a direct hit upon the hostile warship. Undaunted by the intense anti-aircraft fire and adverse weather conditions, he assisted his division leader in sinking two enemy barges and in damaging two other craft. His superb skill as an airman, cool courage and zealous devotion to duty were important factors in the infliction of extensive damage upon the enemy.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior GradeBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 31 (VF-31)Division:
U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28)Action Date:
September 24, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade, John Louis Wirth, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against enemy Japanese as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31) attached to the U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28) in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, 24 September 1944.
Skilled and aggressive in combat, (he) valiantly led his section in the first fighter sweep against an enemy-held airfield. Relentless and determined, he pressed home a furious attack and blasted four Japanese planes from the sky. His actions, without regard for his own safety, reflect great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.