Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (junior grade)

Unit:

Torpedo Squadron 94 (VT-94), U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16), U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

September 24th, 1945

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Division Leader in Torpedo Squadron NINETY-FOUR (VT-94), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against enemy Japanese forces at the Japanese Naval Anchorage, Kure, Honshu, Japan, on 28 July 1945. Leading his division of four torpedo bombers in a coordinated attack against major units of the Japanese Fleet in their heavily-defended anchorage, Lieutenant Nutt dived through intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from ships and shore installations to score a direct hit on a heavy cruiser, thereby contributing materially to its destruction. Then, effecting a rendezvous of his division, he led it back to the carrier for a distance of over two hundred miles despite unfavorable weather conditions. His airmanship and gallant devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01914 (September 24, 1945).