Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Harold J. W. Eppler, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron SIX (VT-6), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in the attack on major units of the Japanese Fleet in Kure Harbor, consisting of battleships, carriers and heavy cruisers, on 24 July 1945. He skillfully and courageously led his division of planes in a bombing attack against a battleship-carrier despite intense anti-aircraft fire which resulted in three of four pilots in his flight scoring direct hits on the ship. He himself, despite serious damage to his plane by enemy fire suffered during his dive, scored a direct hit on the vessel which contributed materially to the major damage inflicted on the ship. 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:

    Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)

    Action Date:

    March 19, 1945

    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0905 (July 6, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Harold J. W. Eppler, United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron SIX (VT-6), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in a bombing attack against enemy carriers anchored in Kobe harbor, Honshu, Japan, on 19 March 1945. He led two divisions of torpedo bombers in an attack on two Japanese carriers despite intense anti-aircraft fire. The attack left one carrier aflame from bow to stern, the other flaming and burning. He personally scored two hits on the bow of a large carrier pressing home his attack with disregard for his own safety. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)

    Action Date:

    July 18, 1945

    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01680 (September 1, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Harold J. W. Eppler, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a carrier-based Torpedo plane. On 18 July 1945, he was leader of a flight of all torpedo planes from five carriers whose mission was destruction of heavy anti-aircraft positions on Yokosuka peninsula during the attacks on a Japanese battleship and other enemy units. He led his flight with such skill that despite intense anti-aircraft fire from ship and shore based guns all planes reached the target. He then attacked so expertly that gun positions were blanketed and he personally silenced at least two batteries with his bombs. So skillfully did he lead this attack that bombers and fighters following him down scored at least two hits on the battleship and five to six hits close aboard. His leadership in the attack was instrumental in silencing enemy fire to the extent that not a plane from his air group was lost. His leadership, skill, courage and coolness under heavy fire were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.