| Radcliffe R. Denniston, Jr. | |
|---|---|
Navy Cross |
|
| Born | February 5, 1916 Wauwatosa, Wisconsin |
| Died | May 8, 1942 (aged 25) Pacific Ocean |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | Torpedo Squadron 5 (VT-5) |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Navy Cross |
Radcliffe R. Denniston, Jr. was an officer in the United States Navy during World War II. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions preceding and during the Battle of the Coral Sea.
Denniston was born on February 5, 1916 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.[1] He joined the United States Navy in 1938, and undertook aviation training in 1940.[2]
Denniston was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions preceding and during the Battle of the Coral Sea. His award citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Radcliffe R. Denniston, Jr. (NSN: 0-77788), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FIVE (VT-5), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Tulagi Harbor on 4 May 1942, and in the Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. These attacks, vigorously and persistently pressed home in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, and on 8 May opposed also by enemy fighters, resulted in the sinking or damaging of at least eight enemy Japanese vessels at Tulagi and the sinking of one carrier and the sinking or severe damaging of another in the Coral Sea. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Denniston's conscientious devotion to duty and gallant self-command against formidable odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.