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Navy Federal Credit Union
John
Daniel
Welsh
December 12, 1923

–

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Japan)

    Action Date:

    April 23, 1945 – August 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 1947

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Daniel Welsh (NSN: 0-315362), United States Naval Reserve, was captured by the Japanese after his aircraft was shot down on or about 23 April 1945, and he was held as a Prisoner of War until his release at the end of hostilities in August 1945.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 84 (VB-84)

    Division:

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

    Action Date:

    March 19, 1945
    Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 031981 (August 20, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Daniel Welsh (NSN: 0-315362), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron EIGHTY FOUR (VB-84), attached to the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), in the strike on Kure Harbor on 19 March 1945. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Welsh skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft in a coordinated bombing attack against major units of the enemy fleet, including aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers. During the action he attacked an enemy battleship, in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire from ship and shore guns, scoring at least one direct hit with his bombs which caused extensive damage. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.