Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Edward Frances Roddy (ASN: 0-432210), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period 12 March 1945 to 5 October 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel Roddy and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    342d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    348th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 16, 1943

    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 76 (February 8, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Edward Frances Roddy (ASN: 0-432210), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action near Arawe, New Britain, on 16 December 1943. Captain Roddy was flight leader of a formation of eight P-47D2 type airplanes which encountered approximately twelve enemy fighters while on an interception mission. He dived to attack and fired a short burst into one enemy fighter which burst into flames and crashed into the sea. A short time later, Captain Roddy made an attack from the rear on another fighter, firing at it until it burst into flames. This Zero crashed and exploded. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Force of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel Edward Frances Roddy (ASN: 0-432210), United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, culminating in 1970. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Roddy culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    342d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    348th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 17, 1943

    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 76 (February 8, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Edward Frances Roddy (ASN: 0-432210), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action over Arawe, New Britain, on 17 December 1943. Captain Roddy was flight leader of a formation of eight P-47D2 type airplanes which were flying on patrol when one enemy reconnaissance type airplane was sighted. He dived to attack and, in the ensuing engagement, fired a short burst into the enemy airplane which crashed into the sea. This was the fifth enemy airplane destroyed by Captain Roddy in aerial combat. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Force of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    January 25, 1945

    Far East Air Force, General Orders No. 409 (March 19, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Edward Frances Roddy (ASN: 0-432210), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight to the Admiralty Islands on 25 January 1945. Major Roddy volunteered to lead a flight of P-47 fighters as escort for a Catalina flying boat ordered out to attempt a rescue of a bomber crew reported down in the water. When, after a thorough but unsuccessful search of the area, the pilot of the rescue plane decided to return to his base, Major Roddy detailed his second element to escort the Catalina back and continued to look for the missing airmen, despite the fact that his fuel supply was running low and that he was within easy range of enemy ground fire. Twenty minutes later he located the downed crew and contacted the flying boat, which returned and effected the rescue. The outstanding courage and devotion to duty displayed by Major Roddy are worthy of the highest commendation. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Action Date:

    Korean War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel Edward Frances Roddy (ASN: 0-432210), United States Air Force, was awarded a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Korea. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    342d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    348th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 26, 1943

    Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 23 (June 22, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) Edward Frances Roddy (ASN: 0-432210), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane of the 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy over New Britain on 26 December 1943. Major Roddy volunteered to lead a flight of four P-47’s on a mission to patrol over the withdrawal of an Allied convoy, as it was anticipated that the Japanese would dispatch a large force of aircraft to destroy the shipping. When nine enemy bombers appeared, flying in close formation, Major Roddy made a climbing frontal attack and fired on the leading planes. The first aircraft fell away in flames. At the same time, Major Roddy’s windshield was shattered by machine gun fire, showering pieces of glass in his face. Disregarding the damage, he fired on another bomber, which began blazing along the fuselage. Major Roddy’s own plane was forced from the combat a moment later after being hit by a cannon shell, but his flight destroyed all of the remaining Japanese aircraft. Major Roddy’s gallantry and willingness to engage the enemy in total disregard of his personal safety are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Military Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    342d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    348th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    November 5, 1943

    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 302 (November 28, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Edward Frances Roddy (ASN: 0-432210), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in the face of great danger above and beyond the line of duty while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, over Wewak, New Guinea, on 5 November 1943. Captain Roddy was flying P-47D2 airplane, in a formation of four, when twelve enemy fighters were encountered. He fired on one enemy airplane from a range of two hundred yards, causing it to fall in flames. Another enemy formation was intercepted a few minutes later, and Captain Roddy fired on an enemy fighter which went down in flames. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Force of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    342d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    348th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 26, 1943

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Edward Frances Roddy (ASN: 0-432210), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Action Date:

    September 7, 1950 – January 1, 1951

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Edward Frances Roddy (ASN: 0-432210), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in Japan and Korea from 7 September 1950 to 1 January 1951. In a responsible position as Director of Operations for the 6150th Tactical Support Wing (later re-designated the 35th Fighter-Interceptor Wing), he skillfully organized and directed tactical operations of his section. Working under extremely adverse field conditions and handicapped by inadequate transportation and communications facilities during three movements of the Wing, Colonel Roddy employed unusual resourcefulness in maintaining his unit at full striking power. By highly effective utilization of all the resources at his command, he contributed to the efficient functioning of his organization in support of United States activities. His noteworthy achievements throughout this critical period were in keeping with the highest traditions of the service and reflected great credit upon Colonel Roddy, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.