The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Martin Doan Carmody (NSN: 0-106501), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot and Flight Leader in Bombing Squadron EIGHT (VB-8), attached to the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of New Guinea, the Carolines, Marianas, Bonins, Philippines, Formosa and Ryukyus, from 30 March to 20 October 1944. Undaunted by intense anti-aircraft fire and heavy aerial opposition, Lieutenant Commander Carmody directed his strike groups in attacks against hostile shipping, airfield facilities and installations to sink six enemy ships, to damage six more, to sink or damage many small surface craft and to destroy twenty-one enemy planes on the ground, in addition to silencing anti-aircraft batteries, destroying many buildings of military importance and rendering twelve airfields temporarily unserviceable. During this period, he himself scored direct bomb hits on an enemy merchant vessel which subsequently sank and destroyed nine hostile planes on the ground, as well as hitting other important targets on numerous occasions. His airmanship, leadership and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.




