Daniel Gerald Cunningham

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Daniel Gerald Cunningham, Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade], 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 SEVENTEEN (VF-17), embarked from the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), operating against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area from 26 January 1944 to 26 February 1944. Upon encountering a numerically superior force of enemy aircraft while escorting a flight of bombers on an extremely hazardous mission over the strongly defended Lakuani Airfield, Lieutenant Cunningham unhesitatingly maneuvered his plane into advantageous striking position and, fighting skillfully with daring aggressiveness, shot down two of the enemy fighters. On another occasion, while preceding a bomber strike against Japanese shipping and harbor installations, he and another pilot engaged sixteen hostile Zeroes and, fearlessly pressing home a brilliant, powerful attack, destroyed four of the enemy planes. Lieutenant Cunningham’s superb airmanship, gallant disregard for personal safety and unflinching courage in the face of overwhelming odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, Southern Pacific: Serial 0788 (April 1, 1944)