Arthur James Brassfield

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Arthur James Brassfield, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THREE (VF-3), embarked from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the “Air Battle of Midway,” against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. In company with four other friendly fighter planes, Lieutenant Brassfield intercepted a formation of 18 Japanese dive bombers approaching the YORKTOWN. In the face of fierce opposing fire, he personally destroyed three of the enemy craft and damaged two others. Later, during the same action with the enemy, he vigorously attacked and shot down in flames a Japanese dive bomber which was strafing survivors of a Torpedo Plane that had made a forced landing. The outstanding courage and determined skill displayed by Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Brassfield 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. 310 (January 1943)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Arthur James Brassfield, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FORTY-TWO (VF-42), embarked from the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Air Battle of the Coral Sea from 5 to 8 May 1942. On 5 May while on combat air patrol, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Brassfield intercepted and aggressively attacked an enemy 4-engine patrol bomber, assisting in its rapid destruction. On 7 May as part of the fighter escort for our scout bombers in an attack on an enemy carrier, he provided protection against enemy aircraft throughout the delivery of the attack which resulted in the sinking of the enemy vessel. On 8 May while on combat air patrol, he, in company with his wingman, aggressively attacked a formation of enemy fighters which were harassing his own forces. By his skillful and courageous action he succeeded in dispersing the formation and in destroying one of the enemy aircraft. He then braved strong enemy fighter protection in order to attack and destroy an enemy dive bomber which was attacking our surface forces. Slightly wounded and his plane badly damaged, he nevertheless succeeded in making a safe landing on the carrier after the attacking force had been driven off. In these engagements he displayed skill, leadership, aggressiveness and complete disregard of his own safety in order that he might carry out his assigned missions. His conduct throughout these actions reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander In Chief, Pacific Fleet: Serial 2050 (May 8, 1942)