Robert Wesley Burnett

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Robert Wesley Burnett, Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign], U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Airplane in Torpedo Squadron TWENTY-EIGHT (VT-28), embarked from the U.S.S. MONTEREY (CVL-26), operating against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the Marianas Islands during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 20 June 1944. Cool and courageous in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from numerous heavily armed enemy warships, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Burnett carried out a bold low-level bombing attack against the enemy Fleet, resulting in four direct hits on a Japanese carrier. Returning to his Task Force after a 300-mile flight through darkness and unfavorable weather, he skillfully executed a safe landing in the sea. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Burnett’s aggressiveness, superb airmanship, daring combat tactics and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, Fast Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0289 (August 3, 1944)