Frederic Leeson Bates

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Frederic Leeson Bates, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron EIGHT (VB-8), embarked from the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the “Air Battle of Midway,” on 6 June 1942. With utter disregard for his own personal safety and in the face of intense antiaircraft fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bates participated in determined and effective bombing and strafing attacks on fleeing enemy Japanese forces, obtaining a successful hit on one of the enemy ships. His airmanship, courage and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.