Richard Gunter Crommelin

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Richard Gunter Crommelin (0-81127), Lieutenant, 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. Through his courage, skill and perseverance Lieutenant Crommelin played an important part in the disruption of a bombing attack directed against the U.S.S. YORKTOWN by a formation of eighteen Japanese dive bombers with fighter escort. Intercepting and vigorously attacking the fighters, he personally shot one down in flames and damaged another, thus helping prevent further damage to the other friendly craft engaged in breaking up the dive-bombing attack. The outstanding courage and determined skill displayed by Lieutenant Crommelin were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Richard Gunter Crommelin (0-81127), 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. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Air Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. As leader of a section of the combat air patrol on 7 May, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Crommelin conducted a determined and decisive attack against an enemy Japanese four-engine patrol plane which resulted in the destruction of that plane, thereby preventing the detection of our forces by the enemy. His aggressive spirit of fearlessness in facing great odds to make eight successive attacks against six enemy fighters attacking our surface forces and harassing our anti-Torpedo Plane patrol resulted in the destruction of two enemy fighters and severe damage to several others. His conduct in these engagements was characterized by unusual leadership, prompt and sound judgment in the accomplishment of his mission and a complete disregard for his own personal safety.