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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Daniel T. Iverson (MCSN: 0-6418), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against enemy Japanese forces while serving with Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-TWO (VMSB-232) on Guadalcanal in August and September 1942. Shortly after midnight on August 25, Captain Iverson, a member of a three-plane section, took off from his base and successfully located and attacked one enemy light cruiser and four destroyers which had been shelling our camp area. In spite of poor visibility and fierce anti-aircraft fire, Captain Iverson and his unit followed with a strafing attack, inflicting further damage on the enemy. Three days later, vigorously pressing forward the attack, Captain Iverson assisted in sinking three out of four enemy destroyers. Again on September 7 and 8, during landing operations by our raiders in the vicinity of Tasimboko, he made several reconnaissance flights and, flying low in the face of determined enemy fire, led sections of our forces in bombing attacks supporting ground troops. By his expert airmanship and valiant initiative, he rendered invaluable service to the ground organization.

Awards Received

  • 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

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Daniel T. Iverson (MCSN: 0-6418), 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. In the first attack on an enemy carrier and in the face of withering fire from enemy fighters and anti-aircraft batteries, Lieutenant Iverson pressed home his attack to a release altitude of three hundred feet. His plane received 219 hits in different places from machine gun bullets and shrapnel and was so badly damaged that he was forced to make a landing on one wheel upon his return to the base. On the night of 4 June 1942, he participated in a search and attack mission against an enemy carrier and brought his plane back to its base under extremely adverse weather conditions. On 4 June, 1942, he, after less than four hours sleep, participated in an attack through heavy anti-aircraft fire on an enemy battleship in which it was damaged severely. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the naval service.