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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Rear Admiral Felix Budwell Stump (NSN: 0-6190717), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander, Task Unit SEVENTY-SEVEN POINT FOUR POINT TWO (TU-77.4.2), while those six Escort Carriers were engaged in furnishing aerial support to our Amphibious Attack Groups landing troops on the shores of Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands, from 18 to 29 October 1944. With his Task Unit under almost continuous attack by enemy aircraft and suicide dive bombers during the Battle off Samar island on 25 October, he continued to direct repeated aerial strikes against the Japanese Fleet approaching Leyte Gulf and, by his forceful leadership and expert tactical ability, contributed in large measure to the sinking of several hostile ships and to the infliction of extensive and costly damage on numerous others. By his courage and aggressiveness, Rear Admiral Stump was in large measure responsible for the success of our operations to force the enemy from this area, and his inspiring devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Division:

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

    Action Date:

    September 18 – December 5, 1943
    Pacific Fleet Board Awards: Serial 50 (May 14, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Rear Admiral Felix Budwell Stump (NSN: 0-6190717), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against enemy Japanese-held Tarawa, Abemama, Wake, Mills and Kwajalein, From 18 September to 5 December 1943. Conducting the activities of his command with daring aggressiveness, Rear Admiral Stump engaged in sustained offensive operations against the enemy during the assault on these strategic Japanese bases in the Central Pacific Area and, when the LEXINGTON was hit and damaged by an enemy torpedo bomber on the night of 4 – 5 December, he boldly fought off persistent aerial attacks for more than two hours before he could retire from the combat area. By his forceful leadership, sound judgment and valiant fighting spirit in the face of severe enemy resistance, Rear Admiral Stump contributed materially to the ultimate success of our forces in this vital war area. His gallant devotion to duty reflects the highest credit upon himself, his gallant officers and men, and the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    September 1944 – May 1945
    Commander Escort Carrier Forces Pacific: Serial 0472 (April 30, 1946)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Rear Admiral Felix Budwell Stump (NSN: 0-6190717), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. As an Escort Carrier Division Commander during the period September 1944 to May 1945, he served as an Escort Carrier Task Unit Commander in support of major amphibious assault operations at Palau and Okinawa Gunto. Throughout the planning and training for these operations his high professional ability, resourcefulness and determination proved indispensable for the success of these operations which he further insured by his courageous leadership exemplified in the dogged attacks of the CVE’s by which the Japanese Fleet was turned back in the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea on 25 October 1944. His inspired leadership, great resourcefulness, high professional ability and personal courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Rear Admiral Stump is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Division:

    Task Unit 77.12.7

    Action Date:

    December 12 – 17, 1944
    Commander 7th Fleet: Misc. 27-F (March 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 Cross to Rear Admiral Felix Budwell Stump (NSN: 0-6190717), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander, Task Unit SEVENTY-SEVEN POINT TWELVE POINT SEVEN (TU-77.12.7), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault and amphibious occupation of Mindoro, Philippine Islands, from 12 to 17 December 1944. Although the task of providing combat air patrol and anti-submarine patrol for convoys traversing the Mindanao and Sulu Seas was tremendous due to an estimated six hundred hostile aircraft within easy striking distance and the possibility of attack by heavy enemy surface units, Rear Admiral Stump afforded excellent air cover for two widely separated convoys and a covering group of battleships, cruisers and destroyers, and in addition, located and launched destructive attacks against nearby Japanese airfields. In the course of these operations, sixty-seven enemy planes were definitely destroyed and eleven probably destroyed with a loss of only eight of our own planes. By his skillful leadership, aggressive fighting spirit, and gallant devotion to duty, Rear Admiral Stump contributed greatly to the success of this vital operation and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    June 14, 1944 – August 1, 1944
    Commander Amphibious Forces Pacific: Serial 2008 (October 18, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Rear Admiral Felix Budwell Stump (NSN: 0-6190717), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of a Carrier Air Support Group engaged in operations for the capture of the Japanese-held Southern Mariana Islands during the period 14 June 1944 to 1 August 1944. By his initiative, perseverance, and outstanding ability, he caused aircraft under his command to execute bombing and strafing missions, anti-submarine, and combat air patrols in a highly effective manner. Escort Carriers under his command operated for long periods in the Marianas waters and were well organized and excellently handled; their many aggressive missions contributed materially to the success of the operation. His outstanding service and conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Rear Admiral Stump is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    World War II
    War Department, General Orders No. 73 (1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Captain Felix Budwell Stump (NSN: 0-6190717), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander of the Combined Operations and Intelligence Center of the Allied American British Dutch and Australian Air Command (ABDAIR) and of the joint American British Dutch and Australian High Command (ABDACOM). Captain Stump served during a most critical time in the defense of Allied territory in the Southwest Pacific. The operations against the enemy were conducted by a combination of American, British, Dutch and Australian land, air and naval forces. Captain Stump was assigned the great responsibility of securing a suitable location, obtaining the necessary personnel, organizing and then operating the Combined Operations and Intelligence Center for the various armies, navies and air forces which comprised ABDAIR and ABDACOM. He made a direct contribution to the success of operations against overwhelming odds of the enemy by the combined allied land, air and sea operations through his keen foresight, leadership, aggressiveness and devotion to duty and wide experience in combat intelligence, both naval and military. His tactful liaison with the intelligence branches of the allied forces contributed greatly to the maintenance of the closest cooperation in all intelligence matters and to making possible the maximum operational efficiency of the combined allied forces. His rapid organization and efficient operation of the combined operations and intelligence center was effected despite the imminent danger and difficulties resulting from the ruthless and devastating attacks of the numerically superior enemy forces in their impending invasion of Java.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    January 1 – 17, 1945
    Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 01831 (May 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 Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Rear Admiral Felix Budwell Stump (NSN: 0-6190717), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Task Unit SEVENTY-SEVEN POINT FOUR POINT TWO during the period of the invasion of Luzon, Philippine Islands from 1 January to 17 January 1945. Rear Admiral Stump repeatedly demonstrated great ingenuity and resourcefulness in the accomplishment of the Task Unit’s mission during this important operation. Despite the fact that two of the six carriers under his command were not available for flight commitments on 4 and 5 January 1945, he coordinated operations so well that the full schedule was met. His Task Unit inflicted exceedingly heavy damage upon the enemy in preparation for the invasion and after troops had gone ashore. Planes from carriers under his command destroyed many airborne aircraft, tanks, trucks and much shipping, thereby contributing greatly to the success of the operation. Rear Admiral Stump’s able planning, excellent judgment and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Rear Admiral Stump is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Admiral

    Action Date:

    July 10, 1953 – August 1, 1958
    CNO Letter: Serial 3176P21 (June 25, 1958)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Felix Budwell Stump (NSN: 0-6190717), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States while serving as Commander in Chief Pacific from 10 July 1953 to 1 August 1958, Commanding in Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet from 10 July 1943 to 13 January 1958, United States Military Advisor to the South East Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) from 16 March 1955 to 1 August 1958, and United States Military Representative to the Australia, New Zealand, United States (ANZUS) Treaty Organization from 29 August 1953 to 1 August 1958. As Commander in Chief Pacific, he has provided this nation with distinguished service in one of the most responsible positions in the Department of Defense. His astute professional judgment and dynamic personal leadership in administering the great responsibilities of his major command have added significantly to our national posture. In his unique position of great responsibility Admiral Stump’s vision, keen intellect, and broad background, coupled with his complete intellectual honesty in dealing with the highest level military and political officials, not only of the United States but also of the SEATO and ANZUS nations, have enabled him to produce, through the very force of his personality, results which have been of signal value to the United States and her allied nations. Admiral Stump’s comprehensive grasp of the Military, Political, and economic implications of an unparalleled international situation and his expert and diplomatic use of the forces at his command in maintaining stability in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia have contributed significantly to the Free World’s efforts for international peace. His vast appreciation of the impact of military forces in furthering the United States’ objectives in the “cold war” is forcefully demonstrated by his outstanding conception, coordination, implementation, and conduct of a weapons demonstration in May 1958 for Pacific and Asian Military leaders. The fact that all seventeen countries accepted invitations and sent representatives was a distinct testimonial to his personal prestige and exemplified the great respect in which he is held in the Pacific area. His illustrious achievements reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of the United States Naval Service.