Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Batallion:

    Fighter Squadron 22 (VF-22)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lake Champlain (CV-39)

    Action Date:

    July 26, 1953

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Edwin Nash Broyles, Jr. (NSN: 0-551849), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as pilot of a jet fighter plane of Fighter Squadron TWENTY-TWO (VF-22), embarked in U.S.S. LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CV-39). While on a jet reconnaissance mission in the Ansu-Nyen reservoir area on 26 July 1953, Ensign Broyles exhibited great daring and skill at a time when an armistice was near in pressing home his attacks in order to inflict maximum damage to the enemy. He personally scored a direct hit on a large plant in a deep, almost inaccessible valley, damaging it severely and setting it on fire despite intense machine gun and small arms fire. On his second target; a large factory building, he scored two direct bomb hits demolishing the structure. Continuing his reconnaissance mission, Ensign Broyles attacked and scored a direct bomb hit on a highway bridge, dropping a span into the river. While attacking a dam and bridge near a large hydro-electric station, Ensign Broyles, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, exhibited extraordinary daring in diving along a high steep ridge thereby exposing his aircraft to machine gun and small arms fire during the vulnerable part of his dive. He courageously pressed home his attack scoring direct hits on the combination dam and highway bridge and also on industrial structures across the river, setting off intense secondary explosions and starting numerous fires. Ensign Broyles did not rendezvous after this attack and is listed as missing in action. By his extraordinary courage, skill and disregard for his own personal safety he was able to inflict heavy damage to the enemy and aid in bringing about an Armistice in Korea. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.