"For distinguished service in the line of his profession as a Member of the Crew of the Seaplane NC-1, which made a long overseas flight from New Foundland to the vicinity of the Azores, in May 1919. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

This award was obtained in the form of an Gold Star to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Vice Admiral

Unit:

Task Force 38 (TF-38), Western Task Force, 3rd Fleet, U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

November 3rd, 1944

"For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander, Task Force THIRTY-EIGHT (TF-38), Western Task Forces (THIRD Fleet), during the period 22 October 1944 to 30 October 1944. In the planning and execution of a series of successful operations against major task forces of the Japanese combatant and carrier task forces in the vicinity of Mindoro, the Sulu Sea, and northeast of Luzon, he successfully damaged the major portion of Japanese capital ships and carrier aircraft of the Japanese navy. His coolness of decision under the difficult and uncertain conditions of combat were outstanding, and at all times he displayed an inspiring ability to appreciate and seize opportunities to inflict damage upon the enemy combatant forces. His conduct was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

This award was obtained in the form of a second Gold Star to be attached on the ribbon of the first award. (Commander 3d Fleet: Serial 070)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Vice Admiral

Unit:

Fast Carrier Task Force 58, U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

June 7th, 1945

"From 27 January 1945 to 27 May 1945, Vice Admiral Mitscher led his task force in a series of relentless attacks against the enemy in support of our amphibious operations at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Four times he led his force deep into enemy waters close to the shores of Japan. Twice he struck airfields and installations in the Tokyo area; twice he struck airfields in the Kyushu area, on one occasion also heavily attacking enemy combatant vessels in the Inland Sea. On another occasion when an enemy task force consisting of the battleship YAMATO, a light cruiser and nine destroyers sortied from the Inland Sea and threatened our forces, he immediately turned north to intercept the enemy, and on 7 April, in a brilliant attack with carrier aircraft southwest of Kyushu, sank the YAMATO, the light cruiser and four destroyers. When not engaged in these attacks in the vicinity of the Japanese homeland, his force operated continuously in direct support of our forces at amphibious objectives. Twice between 11 and 15 May 1945 his flagship was seriously damaged by enemy air attacks and members of his staff were casualties. Undaunted and with firm resolve to carry on, he transferred to sea to another ship on each occasion. Throughout a long and exhausting campaign, under almost daily attack by enemy aircraft, he maintained an indomitable spirit of the offensive, never missing an opportunity to meet with his entire available combat strength any threat to our amphibious operations, were it in major attacks by enemy suicide aircraft hits, by enemy surface forces, or counter attacks by enemy ground forces at the objectives. Forces under his command inflicted great damage on the enemy and maintained control of the sea and air from the Marianas to the shores of Japan. His heroic personal example was an inspiration to the officers and men of his command and combined with his skillful and aggressive leadership assured the success of the operations. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

This award was obtained in the form of a third Gold Star to be attached on the ribbon of the first award. (Serial 00153)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Rear Admiral

Unit:

Commander Air (Solomon Islands), U.S. Navy

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, . During the period 1 April 1943 to 25 July 1943, Rear Admiral Mitscher served as Commander Air, Solomon Islands. His command consisted of units of the Army Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aviation units, and contingents of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He forged these diversified air units into a homogeneous, effective, combat team and by his superb leadership inflicted defeat after defeat upon the enemy. By his inspiring tenacity of purpose, keen judgment and indomitable courage, he imbued his whole command with spirit of the offensive and employed his forces in such manner as to inflict tremendous losses upon the enemy, destroying more than five hundred enemy airplanes and sinking more than twenty vessels. He set an example of courageous and aggressive leadership, in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Rear Admiral

Unit:

Carrier Force, Central Pacific Force, U.S. Navy

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. During the operation to seize the Marshall Islands in January - February 1944, Rear Admiral Mitscher commanded the Carrier Force of the Central Pacific Force which obtained and maintained control of the air throughout the area. He directed vigorous attacks on the objectives of the landing forces and on enemy bases within supporting distance thereof and thus contributed directly to the seizure of the objectives by enemy aircraft. He skillfully commanded the Carrier Force of the Central Pacific Force in the subsequent raid on Truk and directed the carrier based air attacks on the objective on 16 - 17 February 1944. On 22 February 1944, he led a carrier Task Force in an attack against Tinian-Saipan, and pressed home vigorous air attacks on those enemy bases, although attacked throughout the night of the approach and during the day of the attack by enemy torpedo planes and bombers. His determination, his skillful and aggressive leadership, and his bold decisions made possible the success of these operations against the enemy which inflicted heavy material damage on the enemy and injured the morale and prestige of his government without serious loss to ourselves. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

This award was obtained in the form of an Gold Star to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Vice Admiral

Unit:

Fast Carrier Task Forces, Pacific Fleet, U.S. Navy

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. As Commander Fast Carrier Task Forces, Pacific, he led his forces in daring and well coordinated attacks on Japanese bases in the Central and Western Pacific. On 29 - 30 March and 1 April 1944, he led his task force deep into waters previously controlled by the enemy, and caused extensive damage to enemy forces and installations at Palau, Yap and Woleai. On 20 and 21 April 1944, his force operated in direct support of the amphibious landing at Hollandia, New Guinea, and effectively maintained control of the air in the area of operations. On 29 - 30 April and 1 May 1944, his forces executed a bold attack on Truk, Satawan and Ponape, causing extensive damage to those bases. During the operation to capture the Marianas Islands, from 11 June to 27 August 1944, forces under his command prepared the way for the invasion forces by bombing and strafing the attack force objectives in the Marianas Islands and other enemy bases within supporting distance thereof. When the landing on Saipan, still in its early stages, was threatened by a sortie of Japanese Fleet, Vice Admiral Mitscher with bold courage and determination led Task Force 58 to a brilliant victory in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. His immediate decision to attack when the enemy fleet was sighted at maximum range on the afternoon of 20 June and the speed with which his attack units were in the air and en route to the objective were vital factors in the damaging effectiveness of the strike which followed. Subsequent raids on enemy bases in the Marianas and on Palau, Uap, Ulithi and the Bonin and Volcano Islands prevented effective interference by enemy forces with our operations in the Marianas, and thus contributed directly to the capture of Saipan, Guam, Tinian and the extension westward of United States control in the Central Pacific. His daring, aggressiveness and courageous leadership, his determination and personal courage throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

This award was obtained in the form of a second Gold Star to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Vice Admiral

Unit:

Task Force 38 (TF-38), Western Task Force, 3rd Fleet, U.S. Navy

"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the line of his profession while in command of Task Force THIRTY-EIGHT (TF-38), Western Task Force (THIRD Fleet), during the period 26 August 1944 to 20 September 1944. During this period, he successfully planned and had executed a series of offensive aerial strikes incident to the amphibious landings that were made on islands in the Palau Group, and on Ulithi by Central Pacific Forces, and on Morotai by Southwest Pacific Forces. In this connection, strikes were also made on the Bonins, Yap, Talaud, and on Southern Mindanao in the Philippines in support of these operations. He consistently demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership and professional skill. His conduct was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Combat "V"

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)