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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Donald Nathan Aldrich (MCSN: 0-11256), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. On 12 August 1943, while escorting bombers deep into enemy held territory, the flight, of which Captain Aldrich was a member, was attacked by 40 Japanese interceptor fighter airplanes. Captain Aldrich, leading a division of four fighters aided materially in driving them off, shooting down one Japanese Zero in flames, allowing all bombers to return safely. On 25 August 1943, while again escorting bombers over enemy airfields, Captain Aldrich again shot down one Japanese Zero of the estimated 40 which attacked the formation. On 26 August 1943, 20 Japanese fighter planes attacked our Navy bombers. During the battle which ensued, Captain Aldrich was wounded on his head and right eye and his plane was badly damaged. Without regard for his own personal safety he remained with the bombers, brilliantly leading his division in fighting off the attack. Captain Aldrich, though wounded, shot down one Japanese Zero and remained with the bombers until they reached their base.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215)

    Regiment:

    Marine Air Group 14 (MAG-14)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    January 5 – February 15, 1944
    SPOT AWARD, Commander, South Pacific: Serial 001635 (July 20, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Donald Nathan Aldrich (MCSN: 0-11256), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Division Leader and a Pilot of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED FIFTEEN (VMF-215), Marine Air Group FOURTEEN (MAG-14), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago Areas, from 5 January 1944 to 15 February 1944. Intercepted by vastly superior numbers of enemy aircraft while flying escort for our bombers during strikes over the strongly defended Vunakanau and Lakunai Airfields on 20 and 26 January, Captain Aldrich fought gallantly against tremendous odds, immediately plunging to the attack and destroying four of the hostile planes. Returning from an escort mission deep in enemy territory, he and his wingman observed five Zeros attacking one of the pilots of his formation parachuting from a damaged plane, and hurling themselves at the enemy with a fury that balanced the unequal odds, drove the Zeros away, enabling the pilot to make a safe landing. Disregarding severe personal wounds and damage inflicted on his plane during an escort mission over Tobera Airfield on 28 January, he continued the fierce engagement despite overwhelming aerial opposition and shot four hostile craft from the sky. Destroying a total of fifteen Japanese aircraft during this period of intense aerial operations, he contributed essentially to the protection afforded our bombers and his bold tactics and brilliant combat record reflects the highest credit upon Captain Aldrich and the United States Naval Service.