Nooy, Cornelius Nicholas
- Date of birth:
- April 15th, 1921 (Smithtown/New York, United States of America)
- Date of death:
- March 12th, 1958
- Nationality:
- American (1776 - present, Republic)
Biography
Service number 0-177027.
Cornelius N. Nooy was born on 15th april 1921 in Smithtown, Long Island, New York. In 1939 he gadruated from the Long Island High School. Next he followed a study Horticulture at the New York State Insittute of Agriculture.
In August 1942, Cornelius N. Nooy joined the Naval Aviation Cadet Program and he received his wings in January 1943. On 1st May 1943 he was placed in the Fighter Squadorn 31 (VF-31), stationed at the NAS Atlantic City, New Jersey with the rank of Ensign. Following the unit was assigned to the U.S.S. Cabot, light carrier, and flew the Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat. He served with the unit on board the ship from September 1943 until October 1944. After this he was among the 10 original pilots of the unit who signed up for a second tour of duty, this time on board the U.S.S. Belleau Wood. Flying form the U.S.S. Cabot, Nooy shot down 15 enemies. On the U.S.S. Belleau Wood he shot down another four making it a total of 19 during the war.
His total score was as followed:
- 1 victory: 29th January 1944, Kwajelein;
- 2 victories: 30th March 1944, Palau Lagoon;
- 4 victories: 4th July 1944, Iwo Jima;
- 3 victories: 13th September 1944, Mindenao, Philippines;
- 5 victories: 21st and 22nd September 1944, Luzon, Philippines;
- 4 victories: 25th July 1945, Yokaichi Airfield.
When the war was over, Cornelius Nooy moved back to New York and stayed with the US Naval Reserves and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1952.
Cornelius Nooy was only 36 when he passed away from cancer on 12th March 1958.
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Navy Cross
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant (junior grade)
- Unit:
- Pilot Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31), U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28)
- Awarded on:
- September 7th, 1944
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron Thirty-One (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28), in action against enemy Japanese Forces in the Pacific War Area, on 4 July 1944. Participating in the initial fighter sweep over the Japanese-controlled Bonin Islands, Lieutenant Nooy fought his plane gallantly against the enemy, dived from an altitude of ten thousand feet to destroy a hostile fighter which was attacking a friendly plane about fifty feet above the coast. During this same action Lieutenant Nooy shot down three other enemy aircraft and probably destroyed a fourth. By his fighting spirit, initiative and courage, Lieutenant Nooy contributed materially to the success of our operations in this area and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Commander 1st Carrier Task Force: Serial 0527 (September 7, 1944)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant (junior grade)
- Unit:
- Pilot Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31), U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28)
- Awarded on:
- October 17th, 1944
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron Thirty-One (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, on 13 September 1944. Participating in a pre-dawn take-off to strike against a vastly superior number of enemy planes, Lieutenant Nooy pressed home his attacks at perilously low altitudes through intense enemy anti-aircraft fire to shoot down two of the planes. When his guns burned out as he was attacking a third plane, he skillfully maneuvered above the Japanese aircraft and forced him to crash into a hillside in flames. His resourceful initiative, combat efficiency and devotion to duty contributed materially to the success of the operation and reflected the highest credit upon Lieutenant Nooy and the United States Naval Service."
Commander Fast Carrier Task Force: Serial 0642 (October 17, 1944)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant (junior grade)
- Unit:
- Pilot Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31), U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28)
- Awarded on:
- October 17th, 1944
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron Thirty-One (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, on 21 September 1944. A daring and aggressive airman, Lieutenant Nooy gallantly led his section in a bold fighter sweep against a highly important and enemy-held airfield. Fighting his plane with skill and courage, he succeeded in shooting down five enemy planes with only minor damage to his own plane and later executed a bombing run which resulted in a direct hit on a Japanese hangar. By his superb airmanship, courageous fighting spirit, and unswerving devotion to duty, Lieutenant Nooy contributed substantially to the success of this vital operation, thereby reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service."
Second Navy Cross received as an golden star for on the ribbon of the first Navy Cross.
Commander First Carrier Task Force: Serial 0642 (October 17, 1944)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant
- Unit:
- Pilot/Division Leader Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31), U.S.S. Belleau Wood (CVL-24)
- Awarded on:
- September 9th, 1945
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Division Leader in Fighting Squadron Thirty-One (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. Belleau Wood (CVL-24), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Nageys, Japan, on 25 July 1945. When his group was attacked by a superior number of enemy planes while strafing a hostile airfield, Lieutenant Nooy warned his flight of the approaching enemy and, initiating an attack, shot down a hostile plane off the tail of a friendly aircraft. With the remainder of the flight forming a defensive circle, he climbed to a higher altitude to act as a decoy and drive off the enemy until his group could gain altitude and re-joining his division, succeeded in shooting down three more hostile planes and probably destroying a fourth. His expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Second Silver Star received as a golden star for on the ribbon of the first Silver Star.
Commander Carrier Division 3: Serial 0195 (September 9, 1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant (junior grade)
- Unit:
- Pilot Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31), U.S.S. Belleau Wood (CVL-24)
- Awarded on:
- September 9th, 1945
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane, Strike Leader in Fighting Squadron Thirty-One (VF-31), attached to the U.S.S. Belleau Wood (CVL-24), in action on 24 July 1945, while deployed over Kure, Japan. Leading his four-plane fighter strike against major units of the Japanese Fleet, Lieutenant Nooy braved intense anti-aircraft fire to press home a dive-bombing attack against the enemy battleship ISE and score a direct hit, thereby contributing to the final destruction of the hostile vessel. His expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Third Navy Cross received as a golden star for on the ribbon of the first Navy Cross.
Commander Carrier Division 3: Serial 0195 (September 9, 1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Second DFC received as a golden star for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Second Air Medal Received as a golden star for on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Third Air Medal received as a second golden star for on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Fourth Air Medal received as a third golden medal for on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Fifth Air Medal received as a fourth golden star for on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sixth Air Medal, received as a silver star for on the ribbon of the first Air Medal. The silver star was to replave the four received golden stars and to denote five additional medals to the first Air Medal.
Sources
- Photo 1: U.S. Navy
- Photo: U.S. Navy Photo
- - Sterner C.D., Recipients of The Navy Cross, 1916 - Present
- Family records
- Home of Heroes
- Air Group 31
- Military Times Hall of Valor
Photo
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