Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 103 (VB-103)

    Action Date:

    November 11, 1943

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Ralph Bliss Brownell (NSN: 0-126040), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. At 0216 GMT, 12 November 1943, a U.S. Navy Patrol Bomber, PB4Y-1 airplane, Bureau Number 320 32, 103-B-3(C), pilot by Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Brownell, while on an anti-submarine patrol in the Bay of Biscay, delivered an attack on an enemy submarine. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Brownell was airborne at 2238 GMT 11 November 1943. At 0216 19 Group Headquarters and other Allied aircraft on patrol intercepted a message from his plane that he was over an enemy submarine, followed by his position. No further message was received from Lieutenant, Junior Grade Brownell and his aircraft failed to return to base. Search the following day by two VB-103 planes, in the vicinity of the position given in Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Brownell’s message, revealed two oil slicks, five miles apart. One slick consisted of heavy oil. The other slick was 400 yards long, 75 yards wide, and appeared to be light oil. Debris was observed in the smaller slick, resembling parts of aircraft emergency equipment. From the above evidence it was concluded that Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Brownell had attacked and damaged the submarine, and his aircraft, due to unknown causes, had crashed or ditched at sea. The fact that the submarine was probably sunk was confirmed by the assessments in reference (c) and (d). The purpose of night patrols by aircraft of this command has been primarily to keep the U-Boats under the surface, and in general, a harassing effort. With the equipment normally carried, a night attack would be very difficult and would call for a great amount of skill and perfect teamwork by all crew members. The successful attack by Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Brownell, carried out under most unfavorable conditions, was far beyond the ordinary call of duty.