Turner F. Caldwell, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Turner F. Caldwell, Jr., Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane in Scouting Squadron FIVE (VS-5), embarked from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Tulagi Harbor on 4 May 1942, and in the Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. These attacks, vigorously and persistently pressed home in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, and on 8 May opposed also by enemy fighters, resulted in the sinking or damaging of at least eight enemy Japanese vessels at Tulagi and the sinking of one carrier and the sinking or severe damaging of another in the Coral Sea. Lieutenant Caldwell’s conscientious devotion to duty and gallant self-command against formidable odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 311 (February 1943)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Turner F. Caldwell, Jr., Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane and Commanding Officer of Scouting Squadron FIVE (VS-5), embarked from the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands during the period 24 August 1942 through 23 September 1942. During this period the squadron under Lieutenant Caldwell’s command made daily scouting flights without the loss of a single officer or man while flying from the partially completed Guadalcanal airfield, frequently under extremely adverse weather conditions. These flights contributed to the repulse of Japanese assaults by making successful raids upon enemy shipping and troop concentrations. A large transport was sunk by their bombs, and they participated in attacks which sunk three destroyers and demolished a large concentration of landing barges loaded with enemy troops attempting to reach Guadalcanal. Lieutenant Caldwell’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. 313 (April 1943)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Turner F. Caldwell, Jr., Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane in Scouting Squadron FIVE (VS-5), embarked from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces near Salamaua and Lae, New Guinea, on 10 March 1942. Lieutenant Caldwell pressed home, in the face of heavy anti- aircraft fire, a vigorous and determined dive bombing attack on enemy ships, sinking one of them.