WW2 and History Collection / Awards and Decorations / Countries U / United States / Navy Cross / Recipients 1945 (not complete) Updated: October 31st, 2016 United States Navy Cross (NC) / Recipients 1945   Below you can find the the recipients for the Navy Cross, Awarded in the year 1945. The list is not yet complete. Additions are always welcome. Any addition should be accompanied with sufficient proof. Navy Cross McCutcheon, Donald (Elizabeth, New Jersey/United States, December 27th, 1920 - ?) May 1945; Lieutenant (junior grade), Bombing Squadron VB-15, U.S.S. Essex (CV-9) Citation: "For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier- based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron Fifteen (VB-15), embarked from the U.S.S. Essex (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese surface forces over the Sibuyan Sea during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands on 25 October 1944. Fearlessly pressing home his attack to low altitude in the face of accurate and intense antiaircraft fire from the formidable enemy disposition, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, McCutcheon succeeded in scoring a direct hit upon a Japanese aircraft carrier of Chitose class, causing certain damage to that enemy vessel. Undaunted in the face of relentless, devastating antiaircraft fire, he rendered gallant service during the bitterly fought engagement in which all carriers, a light cruiser and a destroyer of the enemy's task force were sunk and heavy bomb and torpedo damage inflicted on battleships and other important naval units. By his daring airmanship, exceptional courage and steadfast devotion to duty through a perilous assignment, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, McCutcheon contributed materially to the sinking of this valuable enemy fighting unit and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." (Image: Donald McCutcheon, Jr./Ben Auletta) (Sources: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 338) Nelson, Lucas Jasper Lamero/Kentucky/United States, February 13th, 1917 - December 10th, 1996) October 8th, 1945; Lieutenant, Bombing Squadron 1 (VB-1), U.S. Navy "For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Division Leader in Bombing Squadron ONE (VB-1), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CVL-10), in action against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet at Kure Naval Base, Japan, on 28 July 1945. When intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire imperiled his division before it could launch its attack, Lieutenant Nelson rapidly initiated new tactics which enabled the pilots of his division to score hits and inflict extensive damage on an ISE class battleship. He personally pressed home an aggressive attack to obtain a direct hit on the warship. By his skill as an airman and aggressive fighting spirit, Lieutenant Nelson contributed materially to the success of his squadron in an epic strike in which all capital ships of the Japanese Fleet at Kure were either sunk or damaged. His devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." (Source: Commander 2d Carrier Task Force: Serial 02026) Second NC received as a golden star to be placed on the ribbon of the first NC. (Image: US Navy) Text: Wilco Vermeer Sources:   © WW2 History Collection, Wilco Vermeer, 2016 contact