Date of birth:

November 4th, 1912 (Brockton/Massachusetts, United States)

Date of death:

October 4th, 2009 (Waianae/Hawaii, Unites States)

Nationality:

American

Servicenumber 0-75028, United States Navy.

Fred Bakutis was credited with shooting down 7,5 enemy planes.during the Second World War

Promotions:
6thJune 1935: Ensign;
6thJuly 1938: Lieutenant (junior grade);
1st November 1941: Lieutenant;
1st May 1943: Lieutenant Commander;
1st March 1944: Commander;
1st March 1954: Captain;
1st January 1963: Rear Admiral.

Career:
16thJune 1931: U.S. Naval Academy;
June 1935 - January 1938: U.S.S. Chester (CA-27);
?: Flight Training NAS Pensacola;
10th January 1939: Naval Aviator;
March 1939 - September 1941: Pilot Fighting Squadron 3 (VF-3), U.S.S. Saratoga (CV-3);
September 1941 - February 1942: Postgraduate School U.S. Naval Academy;
March - September 1942: inspector Naval Aircraft Factory, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard;
September 1942 - September 1943: Executive Officer Fighting Squadron 16 (VF-16), U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16);
15th October 1943 - 16th April 1945: Commanding Officer Fighting Squadron 20 (VF-20), U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6);
March 1945 - June 1947: Bureau of Aeronautics;
June 1947 - June 1948: Commanding Officer Carrier Air Group 5 (CVG-5), U.S.S. Tarawa (CV-40);
June 1948 - February 1949: Commanding Officer Carrier Air Group 1 (CVG-1), U.S.S. Valley Forge (CV-45);
February 1949 - June 1950: U.S. Naval War College;
June 1950 - June 1952: Staff U.S. Naval War College;
June 1952 - June 1953: Executive Officer U.S.S. Valley Forge (CV-45);
June 1953 - June 1955: Staff Commander Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet;
June 1955 - July 1956: Staff Chief of Naval Operations;
July 1956 - April 1957: Commanding Officer U.S.S. Gardiners Bay (AVP-39);
April 1957 - December 1959: Staff Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet;
29th January - 20th December 1960: Commanding Officer U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19);
January - July 1961: Assistant Director Fleet Operations Office, Chief of Naval Operations;
July 1961 - March 1962: Deputy Chief Joint Alternate Command Element, Joint Chief of Staff;
March 1962 - March 1964: Commander Alaskan Sea Frontier;
March 1964 - March 1965: Commander Naval Coastal Warfare Group 1;
April 1965 - February 1967: Commander Support Force Antarctica;
April 1967 - March 1968: Commander Fleet Air Alameda, NAS Alameda, California;
March - July 1968: Commander Fleet Air Hawaii;
July 1968: CommanderHawaian Sea Frontier;
1st July 1969: Retirement.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Commander

Unit:

Fighting Squadron 20 (VF-20), U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6) (Fighting Squadron 20 (VF-20), U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6))

Awarded on:

January 9th, 1945

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron TWENTY (VF-20), embarked from the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action against enemy Japanese forces in Philippine waters during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 24 October 1944. Commander Bakutis led a small search attack group whose objective was to locate and attack an enemy task force. He located this force and reported its location to his base. The force consisted of two battleships, one heavy cruiser, and four destroyers and the attack he led was so skillfully executed that two of the battleships and one cruiser were damaged. The attack was made in the face of gunfire from the main batteries of the enemy force, and intense anti-aircraft fire. Commander Bakutis personally scored direct hits with his rockets on a battleship. His courage, aggressiveness, inspiring leadership and complete disregard for his own personal safety were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Commander, 2d Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0793 (January 9, 1945).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Commander

Unit:

Fighting Squadron 20 (VF-20), U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6) (Fighting Squadron 20 (VF-20), U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6))

Citation:
"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as pilot of a carrier based fighter aircraft in action against the enemy on 31 August 1944 in the Bonin Islands, on 10 September 1944 in the Palau Islands, on 10 October 1944 in the Nansei Shoto area; on 12 and 13 October 1944 in the Formosa area, and on 15 and 18 October and 14 and 15 December 1944 in the Philippine Islands area. During these days he personally destroyed 11 enemy aircraft on the ground and damaged an additional 11 aircraft on the ground. He also personally destroyed two small vessels and damaged a freighter and medium cargo ship with well directed rocket hits and assisted in the sinking or damaging of seven miscellaneous small enemy vessels. These accomplishments were performed with little regard for his own personal safety. His coolness, skill and courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Bakutis is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)"

Awarded with "V" for Valor.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Commander

Unit:

Fighting Squadron 20 (VF-20), U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6) (Fighting Squadron 20 (VF-20), U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6))

Citation:
"For heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemy forces. On 15 October 1944, in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, he led twenty-four planes which were escorting a formation of bombing and torpedo planes. The formation was attacked by fifty enemy fighters but his defense was so skillful and determined that there were no losses. He and the formation continued on their mission which resulted in great damage to enemy installations. Later the same day he led his squadron in the defense of the Task Group which was under attack by enemy aircraft. His inspired leadership of the defense was a large contributing factor to the shooting down of all the attacking planes, and to the fact that none of our surface ships were damaged. On 18 October 1944, he was the leader of a fighter sweep against enemy fighters resulting in fourteen of them being destroyed. He continued his mission and caused severe damage to grounded aircraft and buildings. This mission was completed in the face of continuous heavy anti-aircraft fire and in adverse weather conditions. At all times he led his squadron skillfully and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. His courage, determination, and leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Commander

Unit:

Fighting Squadron 20 (VF-20), U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6) (Fighting Squadron 20 (VF-20), U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6))

Citation:
"For a series of meritorious acts while participating in aerial flight from 10 October to 16 December 1944. Commander Bakutis participated in twenty flights in an active combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective and enemy aircraft patrols usually occur. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character."

Second DFC received in the form of a golden star to be worn 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)

Received with three campaign stars.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Bill Gonyo
• - Sterner C.D., Recipients of The Navy Cross, 1916 - Present
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