Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (junior grade)

Unit:

Pilot, Torpedo Squadron 28 (VT-28), U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

August 3rd, 1944

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Airplane in Torpedo Squadron TWENTY-EIGHT (VT-28), attached to the U.S.S. MONTEREY (CVL-26), operating against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the Marianas Islands during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 20 June 1944. Cool and courageous in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from numerous heavily armed enemy warships, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Burnett carried out a bold low-level bombing attack against the enemy Fleet, resulting in four direct hits on a Japanese carrier. Returning to his Task Force after a 300-mile flight through darkness and unfavorable weather, he skillfully executed a safe landing in the sea. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Burnett's aggressiveness, superb airmanship, daring combat tactics and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Commander Fast Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0289 (August 3, 1944).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)