Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Elbert
Scott
McCuskey
February 8, 1915

–

June 15, 1997

Cemetery:

Barrancas National Cemetery

Lieutenant McCuskey became a DOUBLE ACE in World War II with 13.5 aerial victories.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 42 (VF-42)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)

    Action Date:

    May 4 & 8, 1942
    Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 14 (June 28, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Elbert Scott McCuskey (NSN: 0-81585), 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 FORTY-TWO (VF-42), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against the Japanese on 4 and 8 May 1942. On 4 May, during the attack against enemy ships in Tulagi Harbor, he led his two-plane section in repeated attacks against an enemy armed transport and destroyer. The attack against the latter resulted in silencing all her guns and inflicting severe damage. On 8 May, as part of fighter escort for our own torpedo planes making an attack on an enemy carrier in the Coral Sea, he was attacked by four enemy fighters. Through his skill and courage he succeeded in shooting down one of them, and by aggressive action, prevented the others from attacking the force which he was protecting. In this action, in which he was also subjected to heavy anti-aircraft fire from enemy ships, he displayed skill and bravery which materially contributed to the success of the attack against the enemy carrier.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Action Date:

    August 4 – September 7, 1944

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander Elbert Scott McCuskey (NSN: 0-81585), United States Naval Reserve, was awarded a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based fighter aircraft during the period 4 August 1944 to 7 September 1944.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander Elbert Scott McCuskey (NSN: 0-81585), United States Naval Reserve, was awarded a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based fighter aircraft during World War II.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 3 (VF-3)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)

    Action Date:

    June 4, 1942
    Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 19 (July 20, 1942)

    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, Junior Grade Elbert Scott McCuskey (NSN: 0-81585), 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 THREE (VF-3), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the “Air Battle of Midway,” against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. Through his courage, skill and determination he played a principal role in disrupting a bombing attack directed against the YORKTOWN by a formation of eighteen Japanese dive bombers accompanied by fighter escort. With three other friendly fighter planes, he intercepted the large enemy formation, and, in the face of their fire, personally shot down three enemy dive bombers, and damaged three others before he exhausted his ammunition. Later the same day, he engaged enemy fighters escorting a torpedo plane attack, pressing home his attacks so strenuously and skillfully as to bring about the destruction of two Japanese “Zero” fighters. His courage, determination and utter disregard for personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 8 (VF-8)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17)

    Action Date:

    October 12, 1944
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 06 (January 1, 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 Commander Elbert Scott McCuskey (NSN: 0-81585), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based fighter airplane in Fighting Squadron EIGHT (VF-8), embarked in U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), and assigned to a fighter sweep against aircraft and installations in the vicinity of Formosa on 12 October 1944. He personally shot down and destroyed three enemy fighter airplanes thus contributing materially to the success of the operation. His skill, coolness and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Action Date:

    September 21, 1944
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0719 (October 26, 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 Commander Elbert Scott McCuskey (NSN: 0-81585), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot in a carrier-based fighter airplane assigned to escort a strike group against enemy shipping and installations at the Philippine Islands on 21 September 1944. He personally shot down and destroyed three enemy fighter airplanes thus contributing materially to the success of the operation. His coolness, skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 3 (VF-3)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)

    Action Date:

    January 31, 1942
    Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 3 (June 17, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Elbert Scott McCuskey (NSN: 0-81585), United States Naval Reserve, for heroic conduct in aerial combat during the operations of U.S. forces against the Gilbert Islands on 31 January 1942. While piloting a fighter plane from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), he assisted in the destruction of an enemy four-engine patrol bomber seaplane which was attempting to attack that ship.