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(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant James Nicholas Howell, Jr., United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Torpedo Squadron TWENTY (VT-20), embarked in U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), on 9 January 1945.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Torpedo Squadron 20 (VT-20)

    Division:

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

    Action Date:

    January 12, 1945
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 365 (July 1947)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander James Nicholas Howell, Jr., United States Navy, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action as Pilot of a Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron TWENTY (VT-20), embarked in U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), over French Indo-China on 12 January 1945. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Torpedo Squadron 20 (VT-20)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)

    Action Date:

    October 10, 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 362 (April 1947)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant James Nicholas Howell, Jr., United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Division Leader in Torpedo Squadron TWENTY (VT-20), embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), over Okinawa Jima on 10 October 1944.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Torpedo Squadron 20 (VT-20)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)

    Action Date:

    October 25, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant James Nicholas Howell, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron TWENTY (VT-20), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands during the Battle for Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. Undaunted by intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Howell pressed home vigorous attacks upon an enemy battleship to score a direct hit upon the hostile vessel and inflict severe damage. His courage, expert airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty contributed to the success of his squadron in fulfilling this dangerous mission and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.