William James Carberry

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to William James Carberry (0-403621), Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign], U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Bombing Fighting Squadron SIX (VBF-6), embarked from the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), during a strike against enemy Japanese Fleet units at Kure harbor, Japan, on 28 July 1945. Displaying outstanding courage and skill, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Carberry made a bombing run on an enemy battleship despite intense and extremely accurate anti-aircraft fire from enemy ship and shore batteries, and scored a direct hit with a 1000-pound bomb, thereby contributing materially to sinking the vessel. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Carberry’s airmanship and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

Commander, 2d Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 01895