The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Robert Gordon Armstrong (NSN: 0-60301), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scout Dive Bomber and Flight Leader in Bombing Squadron FIVE (VB-5), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces over enemy-controlled waters near New Guinea on 10 March 1942. Lieutenant Commander Armstrong led his squadron, armed with bombs, over high mountains and dense jungles of New Guinea and with calm judgment and consummate skill, led them in a dive bombing and strafing attack against enemy light cruisers and destroyers in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, resulting in severe damage to and probable complete destruction of three of the enemy ships. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Captain [then Lieutenant Commander]Batallion:
Bombing Squadron 5 (VB-5)Division:
U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)Action Date:
February 1, 1942
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain [then Lieutenant Commander] Robert Gordon Armstrong (NSN: 0-60301), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Squadron Commander of Bombing Squadron FIVE (VB-5), embarked in U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5) and while piloting an airplane of that squadron in an attack against the enemy on 1 February 1942. In the first raid of the war by Naval Forces against Japanese territory Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands of which little advance information had been obtained, he led his squadron, in darkness through extremely hazardous weather conditions to the objective. In the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire he delivered a bombing and strafing attack which inflicted severe damage on shore installations and enemy vessels in the harbor. His courage, skill in leading his squadron, and complete disregard for his own safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service, and contributed greatly to the complete success of our forces against the enemy.
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Robert Gordon Armstrong (NSN: 0-60301), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of a seaplane tender and commander of a Naval search and reconnaissance task unit in the forward areas of the Central and Western Pacific from November 1944 through April 1945. By skillful administration, unusually thorough and effective training methods, and an expert understanding of patrol plane operations, he attained for his ship and for the task unit under his command consistently noteworthy standards of performance. In the Okinawa operation, the state of readiness of his ship and the training previously initiated with the seaplane squadron based on board produced outstanding fulfillment of the assigned mission in the face of very difficult operating conditions. His conduct, and performance of duty throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.