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(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant William John Masoner, Jr. (NSN: 0-82264), United States Naval Reserve, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 19 (VF-19)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16)

    Action Date:

    October 24, 1944
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force: Serial 0763 (October 30, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, William John Masoner, Jr. (NSN: 0-82264), 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 NINETEEN (VF-19), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against enemy Japanese forces on 24 October 1944, during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, in the Philippine Islands. Intercepting several groups of enemy planes while leading his division in a long-range search for hostile aircraft, Lieutenant Masoner skillfully directed his planes in a determined onslaught and sent thirteen of the opposing aircraft flaming to the ground, personally accounting for six and sustaining no loss to his own formation. By his brilliant airmanship and indomitable courage and intrepid fighting spirit Lieutenant Masoner contributed materially to the infliction of considerable damage upon the enemy Japanese forces during this battle. His dauntless fighting spirit and unswerving devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 19 (VF-19)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16)

    Action Date:

    November 5, 1944
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0572 (December 22, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant William John Masoner, Jr. (NSN: 0-82264), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VF-19), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands on 5 November 1944. Pressing his attack through intense anti-aircraft fire during a strike against an enemy heavy cruiser, Lieutenant Masoner skillfully maneuvered his fighter plane to disrupt the enemy fire and obtained two direct hits, contributing materially to the success of the group in sinking this hostile cruiser. The next day he overcame difficult cloud conditions to intercept and down an enemy aircraft, probably averting a suicide dive on one of his Task Group. His courage and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 19 (VF-19)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16)

    Action Date:

    October 12, 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 363 (May 1947)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant William John Masoner, Jr. (NSN: 0-82264), United States Naval Reserve, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot and Flight Leader of a Division of Fighter Planes in Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VF-19), embarked in U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), over the Formosa area on 12 October 1944.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 19 (VF-19)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16)

    Action Date:

    October 25, 1944
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0572 (December 22, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant William John Masoner, Jr. (NSN: 0-82264), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VF-19), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, on 25 October 1944. Leading a division of fighter bombers against a Japanese Fleet engaged by his Task Force, Lieutenant Masoner pressed his run to a low level through intense anti-aircraft fire, made an accurate drop of his bomb and strafed units of the hostile Fleet, completely disrupting their anti-aircraft fire and materially assisting the torpedo and dive bombers in making hits which resulted in the sinking of a major enemy carrier. His superb flying ability, initiative and inspiring devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.