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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Thomas H Jenkins (NSN: 0-77794), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commander of an Air Group on 12 October 1944. Without an assigned target and without fighter escort, he , with great skill and judgment, chose the Kigo Peninsula and its installation at Takao, Formosa, as the target for eight torpedo planes of his Air Group. The attack was carefully planned and pressed home in the face of an extremely severe concentration of accurate, heavy, and automatic anti-aircraft fire. Because of his leadership and skill great damage was caused to enemy installations, with only one plane sustaining slight damage. His courage and disregard for his own safety were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Regiment:

    Air Group 22 (AG-22)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Cowpens (CVL-25)

    Action Date:

    October 26, 1944
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01408 (June 25, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Thomas H Jenkins (NSN: 0-77794), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Air Group TWENTY-TWO (AG-22), attached to the U.S.S. COWPENS (CVL-25), during a major Fleet engagement in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands on 26 October 1944. In the face of intense anti-aircraft fire from a large number of Japanese warships, he led his squadron in pressing home an attack which scored three definite torpedo hits on an enemy cruiser leaving her in a sinking condition. His courage, skill, and inspiring leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Regiment:

    Air Group 22 (AG-22)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Cowpens (CVL-25)

    Action Date:

    January 16, 1945
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force: Serial 01141 (February 1, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Thomas H Jenkins (NSN: 0-77794), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Air Group TWENTY-TWO (AG-12), attached to the U.S.S. COWPENS (CVL-25), in an aerial flight against the enemy in the vicinity of the China Coast on 16 January 1945. As the leader of a strike of five torpedo planes he led his planes through extremely intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire to press home an attack on enemy shipping which caused serious damage. His courage and skill in executing with perfect timing the attack was at all times inspiring and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.