Thomas James Coghlan

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Thomas James Coghlan, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Bombing Squadron SEVENTEEN (VTB-17), embarked from the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Kure Bat Area of Honshu, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Braving intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Coghlan participated in a glide-bombing attack on major units of the Japanese Fleet and, scoring a direct bomb hit on the hostile battleship, contributed materially to the damage sustained by that vessel which was left smoking heavily. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Coghlan’s skilled airmanship, courage and devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0526 (May 4, 1945)