Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    Marine Attack Squadron 121 (VMA-121)

    Action Date:

    October 19, 1952

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Donald W. Anderson (MCSN: 0-50367), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of an Attack-Bomber Aircraft in Marine Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMA-121) during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 19 October 1952. While en route to the target the flight leader assigned the division lead to Captain Anderson, because of communication failure. Captain Anderson directed the flight to orbit out of range of anti-aircraft fire while he reconnoitered the area. Captain Anderson then assigned individual targets to each attack bomber and marked each target by attacking the targets with machine gun fire. Captain Anderson skillfully led each aircraft through intense hostile automatic weapons fire in repeated attacks against enemy installations. Captain Anderson personally accounted for one radio station, one automatic weapons and nineteen buildings. His expert airmanship, cool courage, and devotion to duty in the face of hostile anti-aircraft fire served to inspire the members of his flight and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.