Donald Joseph Melvin

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Donald Joseph Melvin, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy (Reserve), 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 FIFTY-ONE (VT-51), embarked from the U.S.S. SAN JACINTO (CVL-30), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands Area during the Air Battle of Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. A daring and skilled airman and aggressive in combat, Lieutenant Commander Melvin boldly led his squadron in two vigorous torpedo attacks, braving intense and accurate antiaircraft fire, to strike a the enemy and score several damaging hits against major Japanese ships. His forceful leadership, personal courage and gallant devotion to the completion of each hazardous mission were essential factors in the success achieved by his squadron. Lieutenant Commander Melvin’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 341 (August 1945)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Donald Joseph Melvin, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy (Reserve), 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 Torpedo Squadron FIFTY-ONE (VT-51), embarked from the U.S.S. SAN JACINTO (CVL-30), in action against major units of the Japanese fleet west of the Marianas Islands during the first Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 20 June 1944. Lieutenant Commander Melvin’s expert airmanship, daring combat tactics and unswerving devotion to duty were important factors in the inflicting of heavy damage on the enemy during this historic engagement, and his gallant fortitude throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval service.