Walter Gabriel Schindler

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Walter Gabriel Schindler, Commander, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Gunnery Officer on board the Aircraft Carrier 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. In order to advise his seniors more accurately and intelligently, Commander Schindler volunteered as free gunner in an airplane in Scouting Squadron FIVE (VS-5), embarked from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in three attacks against Japanese forces, at Tulagi on 4 May, although opposed by heavy antiaircraft fire, and in two attacks on 7 and 8 May in the Coral Sea area, in the face of enemy fighters as well. He shot down a Zero type Japanese fighter which attacked the plane in which he was serving as free gunner on 8 May. His conspicuous intrepidity was above and beyond the call of duty on these occasions. Commander Schindler’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. 307 (October 1942)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Walter Gabriel Schindler, Commander, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Gunnery Officer on the Staff of Task Force Commander for the first ten months of the war.