Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

First Lieutenant (Lieutenant)

Unit:

Marine Fighting Squadron 323 (VMF-323), Marine Aircraft Group 33 (MAG-33), U.S. Marine Corps Aviation, U.S. Marine Corps

Awarded on:

June 23rd, 1947

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE (VMF-323), Marine Air Group THIRTY-THREE (MAG-33), FOURTH Marine Aircraft Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Ryukyu Islands, on 3 June 1945. Intercepting an approaching flight of hostile planes during a patrol over the landing beaches of Iheya Shima, First Lieutenant Drake engaged the enemy in fierce combat and, pursuing one section of the Japanese fighters, blasted two from the sky. Sighting three more withdrawing from the area, he opened fire on the end plane and destroyed it. With the two remaining hostile aircraft pursuing him, he skillfully out-maneuvered the enemy and, closing in for the attack, delivered accurate gunfire to shoot down one and inflict severe damage on the other. By his superb skill as an airman and gallant devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Drake contributed materially to the success of his squadron in destroying nine Japanese planes and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

First Lieutenant (Lieutenant)

Unit:

Marine Fighting Squadron 323 (VMF-323), Marine Aircraft Group 33 (MAG-33), U.S. Marine Corps Aviation, U.S. Marine Corps