Bass, Horace Ancel
Ensign, U.S. Navy Reserve
Fighting Squadron Three embarked from U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)
Date of Action: June 4 1942
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Horace Ancel Bass, Jr. (0-106125), Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism
in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THREE (VF-3), embarked from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the
"Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. Ensign Bass, while on combat air patrol over our ships, in company with his section leader attacked a large group
of enemy dive-bombers which were attempting to attack our ships. While making their attack on the enemy dive-bombers, Ensign Bass and his section leader were attacked by an enemy
dive-bomber that had been forced to jettison his bomb and an enemy type Zero fighter. In this action, with marked coolness and great skill, Ensign Bass maintained his position as
protection against planes attacking his leader from the rear. He shot down the attacking dive-bomber and damaged the enemy fighter. His daring and skill further rendered it possible
for his leader to shoot down another enemy dive-bomber. His own plane was hit several times by the machinegun fire from the enemy planes. The outstanding courage and determined skill
displayed by Ensign Bass were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Commander In Chief, Pacific Fleet: Serial 3277 (August 16, 1942)
This page created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
|