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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Thaddeus Thornton Coleman, Jr. (NSN: 0-130401), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a carrier based fighter plane on Combat Air Patrol over our Task Force operating in the vicinity of the Island of Okinawa on 6 April 1945. During this flight he attacked and shot down two single engine enemy planes. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 83 (VF-83)

    Regiment:

    Air Group 83 (AG-83)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)

    Action Date:

    April 3, 1945
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0955 (July 6, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Thaddeus Thornton Coleman, Jr. (NSN: 0-130401), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and leader of two fighter planes of Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VF-83), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), on a search mission in the vicinity of the Island of Kyushu on 3 April 1945. During the search he initiated an attack against a group of fourteen single-engine enemy planes and in the action shot down four of them. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Thaddeus Thornton Coleman, Jr. (NSN: 0-130401), United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 83 (VF-83)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)

    Action Date:

    March 18 – May 10, 1945
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0799 (July 6, 1945)

    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 Thaddeus Thornton Coleman, Jr. (NSN: 0-130401), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights in operations against the enemy in the vicinity of Kyushu and Okinawa. As pilot of a carrier based plane during the period 18 March 1945 to 10 May 1945, he participated in twenty strikes and flights over enemy territory and inflicted extensive damage to enemy airfields and installations. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 83 (VF-83)

    Regiment:

    Air Group 83 (AG-83)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)

    Action Date:

    April 7, 1945
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0808 (July 6, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Thaddeus Thornton Coleman, Jr. (NSN: 0-130401), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VF-83), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against the enemy Fleet in the vicinity of the Island of Kyushu on 7 April 1945. He skillfully and courageously piloted his plane against a task force of the enemy fleet including a battleship, cruisers, and destroyers. During the action he attacked an enemy cruiser, in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, scoring a direct hit with his bomb which contributed materially to the sinking of the vessel immediately after the attack. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 83 (VF-83)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Thaddeus Thornton Coleman, Jr. (NSN: 0-130401), 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.