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)
|
