The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Arthur Ray Hawkins (NSN: 0-240489/5511397), 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 THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, on 13 September 1944. Participating in a pre-dawn take-off to strike against a vastly superior number of hostile aircraft, Lieutenant Hawkins braved heavy anti-aircraft fire from ground installations and, relentlessly pressed home his attacks at perilously low altitudes through intense enemy anti-aircraft fire to shoot down five Japanese air fighters in flames and damaged an additional three airborne enemy planes. By his superb airmanship, aggressive fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty Lieutenant Hawkins contributed substantially to the success of this vital operation, thereby reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Cross
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Legion of Merit
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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
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Arthur Ray Hawkins (NSN: 0-240489/5511397), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director for Community relations, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) from September 1970 to June 1973. Captain Hawkins distinguished himself through his dedicated and vigorous efforts in connection with community relations aspects of pressing national and international issues involving the Department of Defense and the public, both in the United States and abroad. Among his many achievements was his direction of an Operation HOMECOMING-related program of processing organization and public offers of gifts and assistance made to the Department of Defense in behalf of former prisoners of war from the Vietnam conflict. Through his superior initiative and resourcefulness, returning former prisoners of war were able to consider scores of offers of assistance and gifts from groups and individuals without fear of conflict of interest or personal exploitation. By his outstanding leadership, judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty, Captain Hawkins upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]Batallion:
Fighting Squadron 31 (VF-31)Division:
U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28)Action Date:
July 24, 1945
Commander Carrier Division 3: Serial 01954 (September 9, 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Arthur Ray Hawkins (NSN: 0-240489/5511397), 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 THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet at Kure Harbor, Japan, on 24 July 1945. Fearlessly braving intense anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Hawkins pressed home a vigorous attack against the enemy battleship ISE to score a direct hit and contribute materially to the final destruction of the hostile vessel. His expert airmanship and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Arthur Ray Hawkins (NSN: 0-240489/5511397), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Air Station, Atsugi, Japan, from 1 August 1968 to 27 July 1970. Captain Hawkins consistently demonstrated superb leadership and the highest management competence in all matters concerning the operational readiness and administration of his command. Exercising keen foresight and initiative, he anticipated problems related to administering a large U.S. Navy complex on foreign soil, and was directly responsible for fostering excellent U.S. – Japanese relations and for the conspicuously superior fleet support rendered to the operating forces. By exceptional personal dignity and diplomacy, he carried on excellent U.S. – Japanese relationships and strengthened rapport significantly. Captain Hawkins’ outstanding professional skill, judgment and inspiring dedication contributed to the image of the United States Government in a foreign land. His performance was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]Batallion:
Fighting Squadron 31 (VF-31)Division:
U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28)Action Date:
June 19, 1944
Commander 1st Carrier Task Force: Serial 0527 (September 7, 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 [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Arthur Ray Hawkins (NSN: 0-240489/5511397), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), embarked in U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 19 June 1944. As a member of a twelve-plane fighter division flying combat air patrol over his Task Group, Lieutenant Hawkins answered a call to intercept a force of thirty or more hostile fighters approximately fifty miles distant and boldly pressed home his repeated attacks against the enemy aircraft despite intense hostile fighter opposition, shooting down three of the fifteen enemy aircraft demolished in this engagements by the six planes from his carrier. By his gallant fighting spirit, courage and devotion to our successful operations in this engagement, he upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]Batallion:
Fighting Squadron 31 (VF-31)Division:
U.S.S. Belleau Wood (CVL-24)Action Date:
August 13, 1945
Commander Carrier Division 3: Serial 0473 (September 16, 1945)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 [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Arthur Ray Hawkins (NSN: 0-240489/5511397), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), embarked in U.S.S. BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Tokyo, Japan, on 13 August 1945. Participating in a fighter strike on heavily camouflages planes at four enemy airfields, Lieutenant Hawkins carried out low-level strafing attacks through medium and accurate anti-aircraft fire and contributed materially to the destruction of twenty-two planes and the damaging of twenty others on the ground. His skilled airmanship and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]Batallion:
Fighting Squadron 31 (VF-31)Division:
U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28)Action Date:
September 21, 1944
Commander 1st Carrier Task Force: Serial 0642 (October 17, 1944)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 [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Arthur Ray Hawkins (NSN: 0-240489/5511397), 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 THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, on 21 September 1944. Daring in combat, Lieutenant Hawkins participated in the first fighter sweep against an important enemy-held airfield and by his bold tactics and fighting spirit, he succeeded in shooting down four enemy planes and in damaging a fifth. Relentlessly and determined, he pressed home a perilously low-altitude strafing run through intense anti-aircraft fire to inflict severe damage on an enemy plane parked beside the runway. His great personal valor, resourceful initiative 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 [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]Batallion:
Fighting Squadron 31 (VF-31)Division:
U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28)Action Date:
World War II
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 354 (September 1946)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Arthur Ray Hawkins (NSN: 0-240489/5511397), United States Naval Reserve, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), embarked in U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific war area, during World War II.