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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Laurence Burton Green (NSN: 0-123621), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Jet Fighter Plane attached to Fighter Squadron FIFTY-THREE (VF-53), based on board the U.S.S. VALLEY FORGE (CV-45), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 18 February 1953. Leading a flight of jet fighter planes on a strike against a strategic enemy railroad bridge situated in a gorge 3,000 feet below the mountain peaks and 80 feet above a river bed, Lieutenant Commander Green conducted repeated attacks on the target in the face of continuously pointed cross fire from at least twelve 37-mm. anti-aircraft and other automatic weapons positions, scoring a direct hit which collapsed a span of the bridge and seriously disrupted the east-west railroad supply route of the hostile forces. By his superb airmanship, courage and steadfast devotion to duty, Lieutenant Commander Green contributed materially to the reduction of this enemy transportation facility and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Action Date:

    November 18, 1947

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant Commander Laurence Burton Green (NSN: 0-123621), United States Navy, for heroic conduct in rescuing his Commanding Officer following a carrier landing accident off Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, on the night of 18 November 1947. When his plane crashed into that of the Commanding Officer and both caught fire and crashed into the sea, Lieutenant Commander Green located his senior officer in the darkness and, finding him with a broken arm, serious head wounds, without a life jacket and unable to swim, sustained him afloat until rescued. By his initiative, personal courage and coolness despite his own injuries and the hazards of darkness and floating wreckage, he saved the life of his Commanding Officer, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]

    Action Date:

    April 29, 1944
    Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 02585 (September 27, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Laurence Burton Green (NSN: 0-123621), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Motor Torpedo Boat THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (PT-363), and Officer-in-Tactical Command of Motor Torpedo Boat THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX (PT-366), in action against enemy Japanese forces in Nightingale Bay near Wewak, New Guinea, on the night of 29 April 1944. Sighting four enemy Japanese barges loaded with vital supplies, Lieutenant Commander Green directed his command to open fire on the outnumbering enemy forces and, although painfully wounded by the enemy’s heavy return fire, pressed home a vigorous attack, sinking all opposing forces and killing numerous enemy personnel. His fearless leadership, heroic conduct and unwavering devotion to his men reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Commander Green and the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 53 (VF-53)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Valley Forge (CV-45)

    Action Date:

    March 14, 1953
    Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 1291 (June 15, 1953)

    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 Laurence Burton Green (NSN: 0-123621), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane attached to Fighter Squadron FIFTY-THREE (VF-53), based on board the U.S.S. VALLEY FORGE (CV-45), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 14 March 1953. As flight leader of a flak suppression element against a heavily defended enemy electrical transformer station, Lieutenant Commander Green carried out a series of daring attacks against twenty-four known hostile anti-aircraft gun positions and, despite an intense barrage of enemy small-arms and anti-aircraft fire, personally destroyed or damaged seven 37-mm. gun emplacements. When fourteen additional positions were discovered in a sector widely separated from the immediate attack area, he immediately revised the tactics for his flight to cover all thirty-eight gun positions with fragmentation bombs and strafing fire. By his superb airmanship, courage and inspiring leadership in the face of persistent hostile fire, Lieutenant Commander Green contributed immeasurably to the success of the assigned mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.