Harold R. Mazza

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Harold R. Mazza, Ensign, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron TWO (VT-2), embarked from the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces on 8 May 1942, in the Air Battle of the Coral Sea. In spite of heavy antiaircraft fire and concerted enemy fighter opposition, Ensign Mazza closed to within a few hundred yards of the target to execute a fearless and determined attack. Scoring a hit on an enemy aircraft carrier, he thereby contributed to the severe damage and probable destruction of the vessel and aided materially in the success of the operation. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 308 (November 1942)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Harold R. Mazza, Ensign, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FORTY-SEVEN (VT-47), embarked from the U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL-29), in action on 7 April 1945, while deployed over the East China Sea. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Navy Cross to Harold R. Mazza, Ensign, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron FORTY-SEVEN (VT-47), embarked from the U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL-29), in action on 28 July 1945, while embarked from the U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL-29), and deployed over Kure, Japan. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Harold R. Mazza, Ensign, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron TWO (VT-2), embarked from the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces over enemy-controlled waters near Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea on 10 March 1942. Ensign Mazza pressed home, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, a vigorous and determined dive bombing attack on enemy ships, sinking three of them. His outstanding courage, daring airmanship and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.