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 Johnie James Bridges (NSN: 0-124078), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as the leader of a four plane division of carrier-based fighter planes in Fighting Squadron SEVEN (VF-7), assigned to a photographic mission against enemy held positions on the Island of Formosa on 3 January 1945. While engaged in photographing one of the assigned air fields he sighted an enemy plane approaching and immediately led an attack, and shot down the plane. Thereafter while proceeding form one target to another he sighted a second enemy aircraft. He again attacked and shot down the second enemy plane. By his coolness and skill he was able to complete his photographic mission successfully, and at the same time destroy two enemy aircraft. His leadership and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 7 (VF-7)Division:
U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)Action Date:
October 25, 1944
Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01061 (January 20, 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Johnie James Bridges (NSN: 0-124078), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as the leader of a section of carrier-based fighter planes in Fighting Squadron SEVEN (VF-7), embarked in U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), assigned to an escort strike mission against the Japanese Fleet in the Philippine Islands area on 25 October 1944. After escorting the torpedo planes safely to the target he led his section in a courageous and determined attack on the enemy fleet, pressing home a rocket and strafing attack on an enemy battleship in the face of intense and vicious anti-aircraft fire. By his courageous attack, pressed home to low altitude, he so diverted enemy fire to himself that the bomber and torpedo planes following him in the attack were able to complete their mission. His courage, skill, and utter disregard for his personal safety were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 7 (VF-7)Action Date:
October 26, 1944
Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01061 (January 20, 1945)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 Johnie James Bridges (NSN: 0-124078), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy while serving as a pilot in a four plane division of carrier-based fighter planes in Fighting Squadron SEVEN (VF-7), assigned to an escort and strike mission against the Japanese Fleet in the Philippine Islands area on 26 October 1944. After escorting the torpedo planes safely to the target he led his section in two courageous bombing and strafing attack son an enemy destroyer. His determined attacks, pressed home to low altitude in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, diverted the enemy fire from the torpedo planes he was assigned to protect, and enabled them to successfully complete their mission. His coolness, skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.