Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Aviation Radioman Second Class

    Batallion:

    Scouting Squadron

    Division:

    U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)

    Action Date:

    May 8, 1942

    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 309 (December 1942)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Radioman Second Class Joseph E. Roll, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement in aerial combat as a rear seat gunner in an airplane of a Scouting Squadron in action against Japanese forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 8, 1942. Aviation Radioman Second Class Roll voluntarily acted as free gunner in an airplane on three successive attacks against the enemy Japanese forces at Tulagi on 4 May 1942, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, and in the two attacks on 7 and 8 May 1942 in the Coral Sea, opposed by enemy fighters as well. During the attack of 8 May, he shot down a type Zero Japanese fighter which was attacking the plane in which he was serving as free gunner. His conspicuous intrepidity on these occasions was above and beyond the call of duty.