Elmer Glidden

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Elmer Glidden (0-6383), Captain, U.S. 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 THIRTY-ONE (VMSB-231), Marine Air Group TWENTY-THREE (MAG-23), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Guadalcanal Area of the Solomons Islands from 30 August 1942 to 15 October 1942. In addition to almost daily participation in dangerous scouting and patrolling missions as far as 250 miles from his base at Guadalcanal Island, Captain Glidden, with courageous disregard for his own safety, led numerous flight missions in aggressive attacks on valuable enemy objectives. On two occasions, he led a division of planes in devastating raids on enemy landing boats at Santa Isabel and San Jorge islands, leaving practically all of the thirty-four boats at the former objective useless to the Japanese. In five other flights he struck smashing blows on two cruisers and six destroyers near Guadalcanal, inflicting severe damage on hostile installations at Cape Esperance, and demolished enemy buildings and strafed personnel at Visale Mission. His brilliant leadership, superb flying skill, and gallant devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

SPOT AWARD, Serial 821 (SofN Signed September 28, 1943)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Elmer Glidden (0-6383), Captain, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Division Commander and 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. When his Squadron Commander was shot down during the initial attack upon an enemy aircraft carrier, Captain Glidden, in leading his division, dived his own plane to the dangerously low altitude of five hundred feet before releasing his bomb. Directed by his Squadron Commander to assume the lead of six planes on the night of 4 June, he brought them safely back to their base despite extremely hazardous weather conditions and total darkness. The following day, after less than four hours’ sleep, he led a section in a dive-bombing assault against a stricken Japanese battleship and, under tremendous fire from anti-aircraft batteries, inflicted serious damage on the vessel. His courageous initiative and conscientious devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on November 10, 1942