Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Rear Admiral Alfred Eugene Montgomery, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Officer in Tactical Command of a U.S. Navy Carrier Task Group, in action against enemy Japanese forces near Saipan on 21 February 1944. Rear Admiral Montgomery maneuvered his group in an excellent manner when attacked by enemy torpedo and bombing planes. Eight Japanese planes were destroyed at night by screen ships’ gunfire and nine more were destroyed by ship’s gunfire and combat air patrol the following morning. In the face of these determined attached Rear Admiral Montgomery launched aircraft from his carriers and they delivered repeated attacks on shipping, aircraft and shore installations on and in the vicinity of Saipan. This action and retirement were completed without damage to the ships of his task group. Rear Admiral Montgomery’s inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital missions and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Vice Admiral [then Rear Admiral]

    Action Date:

    February 12 – July 14, 1945
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 351 (June 1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Vice Admiral [then Rear Admiral] Alfred Eugene Montgomery, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as ComFair West Coast from 12 February 1945 to 14 July 1945.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Vice Admiral [then Rear Admiral]

    Action Date:

    October 30 – December 29, 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 352 (July 1946)

    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 Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral [then Rear Admiral] Alfred Eugene Montgomery, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander Task Group 38.1, operating in the Philippine Islands area from 30 October 1944 to 29 December 1944. Admiral Montgomery directed his group in highly successful operations against the enemy, inflicting severe and costly damage on aircraft, shipping and shore installations at Leyte, Manila and Luzon.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    June 13, 1942 – June 14, 1943
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 330 (September 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Alfred Eugene Montgomery, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commandant of the Naval Air Station and the Naval Air Training Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, from 13 June 1942 to 14 June 1943. Rear Admiral Montgomery successfully executed a program involving vast expansion of facilities and personnel. By his capable handling of the manifold problems during an extremely critical period, he accomplished a vital task with speed and thoroughness.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    November 18 – December 10, 1943
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 331 (October 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Alfred Eugene Montgomery, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander of a carrier task group in the Central and Pacific Areas from 18 November to 10 December 1943. Admiral Montgomery exercised sound judgment in directing repeated aerial attacks against Tarawa and greatly assisted our forces in the successful occupation of this strategic island. Later he directed raids on Japanese shipping, aircraft and installations on Kwajalein Atoll. His brilliant leadership contributed in large measure to our ultimate victory in this area.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    March – June 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 334 (January 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Alfred Eugene Montgomery, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander of a task group of carriers and screening vessels in operations against Japanese forces from March through June 1944. Admiral Montgomery enabled his aircraft to inflict great damage on enemy shipping and shore installations at Palau, Marcus and Wake Islands and at Hollandia. His task group participated in the battle for the Marianas, contributing in large measure to the overwhelming destruction of enemy air resistance and the crippling of important units of the Japanese fleet.