Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Major Daniel Libby Cummings (MCSN: 0-9311), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Solomon Islands Area from 21 to 25 January 1943. Major Cummings completed his fortieth flight 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.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    January 21 – 25, 1943

    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 Major Daniel Libby Cummings (MCSN: 0-9311), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Solomon Islands Area from 21 to 25 January 1943. Major Cummings 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Action Date:

    January 2, 1943

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Daniel Libby Cummings (MCSN: 0-9311), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. In the late afternoon of 2 January 1943, Second Lieutenant Frazer leading a nine plane division of dive-bombers was ordered to contact and bomb ten enemy destroyers which were steaming toward Guadalcanal. Contact was made at 1800, about one hundred and seventy-five miles from base, after flying for an hour and a half through inclement weather. Lieutenant Frazer pressed home his attack in the face of terrific anti-aircraft fire from the destroyers which were violently maneuvering. Participating in this attack were: Captain Gilbert who was instrumental in the sinking of one destroyer by obtaining a direct hit on it, Lieutenant Cummings who made a direct hit on another destroyer, leaving it burning fiercely and which was later reported to have sunk. Lieutenant Arndt who materially aided in the sinking of the destroyer hit by Gilbert when he also obtained a direct hit on it, and Lieutenant Hayes who aided in the sinking of one of the destroyers by a direct hit amidships. Following the attack, which resulted in the loss of two ships to the enemy, the dive bombers were themselves attacked by enemy fighters which were engaged by a friendly fighter escort. Intelligent leadership by Lieutenant Frazer enabled him to rendezvous his division and evade the enemy. Return to base was made without the loss of a single plane.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241)

    Regiment:

    Marine Air Group 22 (MAG-22)

    Division:

    Naval Air Station, Midway

    Action Date:

    June 4 & 5, 1942

    Commander in Chief Pacific Forces: Serial 21

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Daniel Libby Cummings (MCSN: 0-9311), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as a Pilot in Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron TWO HUNDRED FORTY-ONE (VMSB-241), Marine Air Group TWENTY-TWO (MAG-22), Naval Air Station, Midway, during operations of the U.S. Naval and Marine Forces against the invading Japanese Fleet during the Battle of Midway on 4 and 5 June 1942. During the initial attack upon an enemy aircraft carrier, Second Lieutenant Cummings, in a hail of blasting fire from Japanese fighter guns and anti-aircraft batteries, dived his plane to the perilously low altitude of four hundred feet before releasing his bomb. When he pulled out, his craft was so severely damaged that he was forced down at sea, where he effected a safe landing on the water within sight-distance of his base. His courageous determination and extreme disregard of personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.