Burden Robert Hastings

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Burden Robert Hastings, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy Patrol Plane and Commanding Officer of Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED ONE (VP-101), Patrol Wing TEN (PatWing-10), in action against enemy Japanese naval forces located near Jolo, in the Philippine Islands, on the morning of 27 December 1941. Pressing home his attack in the face of overwhelming air and antiaircraft opposition, Lieutenant Hastings led his formation, maneuvering his bombers to pass clear of lower clouds until the objective was reached and they had dropped their bombs, inflicting heavy damage upon several enemy war and merchant ships. Lieutenant Hastings’ outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 304 (July 1942)