Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 21 (VF-21)

    Action Date:

    June 30, 1943

    Commander South Pacific: Serial 002095 (October 10, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Billy P. Burch (NSN: 0-124319), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. During the afternoon of 30 June 1943, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Burch of Fighting Squadron TWENTY-ONE (VF-21) was a member of a four-plane division of F4F’s sent to Rendova Island to intercept an enemy attack on our shipping. Shortly after reaching New Georgia Island, his division sighted enemy bombers, and immediately went into attack. As Lieutenant Burch leveled off from his dive, he noticed seven Zeros attacking friendly fighters. Picking out two enemy fighters which were flying in a two-plane section, Lieutenant Burch got on their tail, and with several bursts of well-placed fire, shot them both down in flames. A few seconds later he found another Zero in his sights, and letting go with all six guns, poured such a concentrated stream of fire into the fighter that it fell to pieces in midair. From 21 June 1943 through 17 July 1943, Lieutenant Burch led twenty-nine combat missions for a total of one hundred hours.