William F. Bringle

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to William F. Bringle, Commander [then Lieutenant Commander], U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane and Commanding Officer Of Observation Fighting Squadron ONE (VOF-1), embarked from the U.S.S. TULAGI (CVE-72), in action against enemy forces during the Allied invasion of southern France on 20 August 1944. Commander Bringle led his flight of eight planes against a hostile motorized concentration and skillfully maneuvered his group for maximum striking power and, pressing home his attacks with skill in the face of powerful anti-aircraft fire, contributed materially to the infliction of damage and destruction on seventy-five enemy motor vehicles. Leading a second strike against six heavily armed enemy trawlers in the Marseilles Area later the same day, he struck repeatedly at his target to assist in the beaching of four and the crippling of two additional enemy vessels. Fearlessly exposing himself to enemy antiaircraft fire which damaged his plane and forced him to land in the water on 25 August Commander Bringle continued to relay vital information to our forces regarding the fall of shot in the vicinity of three important hostile coastal batteries and, by his courageous efforts in the face of grave personal danger, contributed directly to the subsequent neutralization of these enemy emplacements. By his airmanship, initiative and devotion to duty throughout, Commander Bringle upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.