The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Kirk Armistead (MCSN: 0-5162), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight at the risk of his own life while on aerial flights over an area under enemy control. On 12 September 1942, at 1125, the air raid was sounded, and Major Armistead led his two plane section to 27,000 feet. Major Armistead led this section in an attack on twenty-six Japanese twin-engine bombers and eighteen Zero type fighters. This attack was so well delivered that Major Armistead and Second Lieutenant Kunz succeeded in shooting down a twin-engine bomber. During the period between 1 September and 16 October 1942, Major Armistead destroyed two and one-half enemy bombers in aerial combat over Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. In addition, while operating during the battle of Midway, Major Armistead destroyed two enemy bombers, for a total of four and one-half bombers destroyed.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Navy Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221)Action Date:
September 29 – October 15, 1942
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 Colonel Kirk Armistead (MCSN: 0-5162), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Solomon Islands Area from 29 September 1942 to 15 October 1942. Lieutenant Colonel Armistead 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.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221)Regiment:
Marine Air Group 22 (MAG-22)Division:
Naval Air Station, MidwayAction Date:
June 4, 1942
Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on November 10, 1942The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Kirk Armistead (MCSN: 0-5162), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Commander and a Pilot of the Third Division, Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), 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 June 1942. Leading his division in a dauntless and aggressive assault against a vastly superior number of Japanese bomber and fighter planes, Major Armistead, then Captain, shot down one Navy Aichi Type dive bomber, thereby aiding in the disruption of enemy plans and lessening the effectiveness of their attack. His courageous determination, maintained at great personal risk against tremendous odds, contributed to the success of our forces and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.