Daniel Crysdale Sheedy

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Daniel Crysdale Sheedy, 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 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. Participating as one of a six-plane fighter escort for our Torpedo Planes in an attack on three enemy aircraft carriers, Ensign Sheedy, upon reaching his objective, was viciously intercepted by a superior force of Japanese fighters. By courageously maintaining position in formation on his section leader despite tremendous counterfire, he skillfully prevented the enemy planes from pressing home their attacks. Subsequently losing his leader in a cloud, he single-handedly fought off an attack by three Japanese fighters, shot one down and, himself badly wounded, flew his severely damaged plane back to a safe landing aboard one of our carriers. The outstanding courage and determined skill displayed by Ensign Sheedy were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.