Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Matthew
Sylvester
Byrnes
, Jr.
April 20, 1918

–

Born:

Hamilton, Ontario

, 

Canada

Home:

Rensselaer

, 

Indiana

Matthew Byrnes enlisted in the Navy in 1941 after graduating from the University of Notre Dame. He became a World War II Navy ACE, credited with shooting down six enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He retired as a U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 12 (VB-12)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Randolph (CV-15)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Matthew S. Byrnes, Jr., United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot in Bombing Squadron TWELVE (VB-12), embarked in U.S.S. RANDOLPH (CV-15), during World War II.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 12 (VB-12)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Randolph (CV-15)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Matthew S. Byrnes, Jr., 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 in Bombing Squadron TWELVE (VB-12), embarked in U.S.S. RANDOLPH (CV-15), during World War II.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 12 (VB-12)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Randolph (CV-15)

    Action Date:

    February 16 – May 14, 1945
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 370 (December 1947)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Matthew S. Byrnes, Jr., 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 in Bombing Squadron TWELVE (VB-12), embarked in U.S.S. RANDOLPH (CV-15), in action against the Japanese Empire and adjacent islands, from 16 February 1945 to 14 May 1945.