Navy Federal Credit Union

Larry Landry was credited with destroying one enemy aircraft in aerial combat during World War II, his victory coming on the day he earned the Distinguished Service Cross and was himself shot down and listed as missing in action and presumed killed in action.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    17th Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    24th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    February 7, 1942

    Headquarters, South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 25 (August 27, 1942)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Larry Daniel Landry, Jr. (ASN: 0-378814), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 7 February 1942, during an air mission over Den Pasar Airport, Bali, Netherlands East Indies. When information of the approach of hostile airplanes was received soon after this flight had landed and while the planes were being serviced, the flight leader ordered those planes which had been refilled with gasoline to patrol over the airfield. When the seven planes in the air were attacked by more than three times their number of enemy fighters, Lieutenant Landry immediately took off and joined his comrades, shooting down one enemy fighter before he was himself shot down in flames. Second Lieutenant Landry’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat, at the cost of his life, is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.