Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Merriwell
William
Vineyard
September 21, 1920

–

Born:

Bells

, 

Texas

Home:

Frederick

, 

Oklahoma

Merriwell Vineyard served as a pilot with the R.C.A.F. in the early days before the United States entered World War II. Subsequently, as a U.S. Naval Aviator, he became a World War II Navy ACE, credited with shooting down six enemy aircraft in aerial combat.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 2 (VF-2)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant, Junior Grade Merriwell William Vineyard, United States Navy, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot and Flight Leader in Fighting Squadron TWO (VF-2), embarked in U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in operations against enemy Japanese forces during World War II.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 2 (VF-2)

    Regiment:

    Air Group 2

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12)

    Action Date:

    June 19 – 24, 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 366 (August 1947)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant, Junior Grade Merriwell W. Vineyard, United States Navy, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action as a Pilot in Fighting Squadron TWO (VF-2), Air Group TWO, embarked in U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), over the Marianas and Bonin Islands, from 19 to 24 June 1944. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 2 (VF-2)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12)

    Action Date:

    June 20, 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 369 (November 1947)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant, Junior Grade Merriwell W. Vineyard, United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot and Flight Leader in Fighting Squadron TWO (VF-2), embarked in U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 20 June 1944.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 2 (VF-2)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant, Junior Grade Merriwell William Vineyard, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot and Flight Leader in Fighting Squadron TWO (VF-2), embarked in U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in operations against enemy Japanese forces during World War II.