Navy Federal Credit Union

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant, Junior Grade Donald F. Seiz (NSN: 0-156325), United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Torpedo Plane embarked in U.S.S. LEXINGTON on 9 January 1945.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Torpedo Squadron 20 (VT-20)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington

    Action Date:

    January 9, 1945

    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 348 (March 1946)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Donald Francis Seiz (NSN: 0-156325), United States Navy, for heroic and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron TWENTY (VT-20), embarked in U.S.S. LEXINGTON during action against enemy Japanese Feet units off Formosa, on 9 January 1945. Courageous and unwavering in the performance of duty despite intense enemy antiaircraft fire from naval and shore installations and extremely adverse weather conditions, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Seiz participated in a daring glide-bombing attack against a hostile disposition and, flying his plane in perilously low to launch a vigorous attack upon a large enemy oiler, scored a direct hit which left the hostile vessel in a sinking condition. A skilled airman, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Seiz by his indomitable fighting spirit and heroic conduct in the fulfillment of an extremely hazardous mission, contributed essentially to the success of his squadron in this area and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.