Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Frederic
Abshire
Bardshar
1915-10-20

–

1993-09-14

Born:

Seattle

, 

Washington

Home:

Seattle

, 

Washington

Frederic Bardshar graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1938. He became a World War II Navy ACE, credited with shooting down 7.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He retired as a U.S. Navy Vice Admiral.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Rear Admiral Frederic Abshire Bardshar (NSN: 0-81128), United States Navy, was awarded a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of 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 Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 27 (VF-27)

    Action Date:

    June 19, 1944
    Commander Fast Carrier Task Force: Serial 0241 (July 13, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Frederic Abshire Bardshar (NSN: 0-81128), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot against a large group of enemy aircraft intent on attacking a United States Task Force west of the Mariana Islands on 19 June 1944. In shooting down two enemy planes and aiding in the destruction of another, he displayed a leadership and airmanship which contributed materially to the defeat of the enemy. His coolness, skill and courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 27 (VF-27)

    Action Date:

    October 14, 1944
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0834 (January 8, 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 Commander Frederic Abshire Bardshar (NSN: 0-81128), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemy forces on 14 October 1944. As Squadron Commander he led two divisions of fighter planes against a group of sixteen enemy torpedo planes attempting to join an aerial attack on a United States Task Force near Formosa. In spite of adverse weather conditions a successful interception was made and thirteen of the enemy planes were shot down, the remainder being forced to jettison their torpedoes and flee. Of the thirteen enemy planes he personally shot down three. His courage and skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 27 (VF-27)

    Action Date:

    June 11 – October 24, 1944
    Commander Air Forces Pacific: Serial 9382 (November 24, 1947)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Frederic Abshire Bardshar (NSN: 0-81128), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight from 11 June to 24 October 1944. Lieutenant Commander Bardshar completed twenty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Rear Admiral Frederic Abshire Bardshar (NSN: 0-81128), United States Navy, was awarded a Second Gold Star 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.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    February 1970 – March 1971

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Frederic Abshire Bardshar (NSN: 0-81128), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as Commander, Attack Carrier Striking Force, United States SEVENTH Fleet, from February 1970 to March 1971 during combat operations against enemy forces in Southeast Asia. Responsible for the planning, direction, and execution of air and surface strike and reconnaissance operations against enemy military targets and lines of communication in Southeast Asia, Vice Admiral Bardshar directed the many and varied tasks of the carrier striking force with superb leadership, tactical skill, and resourcefulness. Under his guidance, the task force contributed outstandingly to the efforts of the United States and other free-world nations in Southeast Asia. Vice Admiral Bardshar demonstrated excellent leadership and planning ability in connection with the successful diversionary air strikes over North Vietnam in support of the Son Tay prisoner of war search and rescue operation of 21 November 1970. This operation was followed within a matter of hours by extensive protective reaction air strikes which required extensive planning and coordination. Essential to the successful development of Southeast Asia strategy was the vast array of coordinated conventional contingency plans prepared under Vice Admiral Bardshar’s direction. Also, during this period, he provided a perceptive analysis and evaluation of new weapons systems as they were first introduced to the fleet. By his keen foresight, diplomacy and demonstrated ability to apply the versatility and flexibility of sea power to the ever-changing military situation in Southeast Asia, Vice Admiral Bardshar rendered distinguished service and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    January 1965 – June 1967
    All Hands (November 1967)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Rear Admiral Frederic Abshire Bardshar (NSN: 0-81128), United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from January 1965 through June 1967 as Chief, Requirements and Development Division, Plans and Policy Directorate, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Regiment:

    Air Group 27 (AG-27)

    Action Date:

    June 19, 1944 – August 21, 1945
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01710 (September 3, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Frederic Abshire Bardshar (NSN: 0-81128), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of a United States carrier based air group in operations against the enemy during the period 19 June 1944 to 21 August 1945. During a period of greatly intensified carrier activity he inspired his group to achieve an outstanding record, inflicting serious damage to enemy shipping, air power and ground installations. His courageous, inspiring leadership and professional skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Commander Bardshar is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 27 (VF-27)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Princeton (CVL-23)

    Action Date:

    September 21, 1944
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0720 (October 26, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Frederic Abshire Bardshar (NSN: 0-81128), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Pilot of a Navy Fighter Plane and Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron TWENTY-SEVEN (VF-27) and Air Group Commander, embarked in the U.S.S. PRINCETON (CVL-23), on 21 September 1944. His leadership of the first raid on Manila resulted directly in the destruction of thirty-eight enemy planes in the air and fifteen on the ground by his own squadron alone without the loss of a single plane or pilot. Although his direction of the fighter sweep required most of his attention over the target, he shot down two enemy planes and destroyed at least two on the ground in spite of intense anti-aircraft fire both from the airfields and shipping in the harbor. His own plane was struck and damaged to the extent that he was required to land aboard a carrier without benefit of landing hook and crashed into the barrier. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.