Spencer Downs Wright

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Spencer Downs Wright, 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 SEVENTY-ONE (VF-71), embarked from the U.S.S. WASP (CV-7), in leading his section in the initial aerial attack on the Japanese positions in the Solomon Islands on 7 August 1942. Lieutenant Wright’s section covered the landing operations on Gavutu and Tanambogo Islands. Attacking a flight of Japanese seaplanes off Gavutu, Lieutenant Wright’s section shot down six flying boats, then destroyed a motor launch on the sea. He personally accounted for three of the planes and the boat. Lieutenant Wright then led his fliers in a strafing assault on the enemy shore installations on the two islands, destroying fuel and ammunition dumps, buildings and motor vehicles, and hampering Japanese troop movements, thus paving the way for the landing of the American ground forces and contributing greatly to the successful occupation of the islands. Lieutenant Wright’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. 314 (May 1943)