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LCDR Edward E. DeGarmo
 Record NO: (184)
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Rank / Rate LCDR War of Service WWII Date of birth March 18, 1917 Place of birth / home town LIMA Family Members Wife: Beatrice High School Central High School Enlistment Date Branch Navy Service Number Unit / Ship / duty Station U.S.S. Bennington CV-20 Date of Casuality Jun 03, 1945 Cause of Death or Status KIA Place of Incident Over Okinawa Place of Burial or Memorial Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery San Diego, San Diego County, California, USA Awards ★ Navy Cross, ★ Silver Star (2), ★ Distinguished Flying Cross (4), ★ WWII Victory Medal  Links to More Information https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/EDWARD_E._DEGARMO,_LCDR,_USN [https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/b/bennington-ii.html ] [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Bennington_(CV-20) ] [ https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/20349 ] {https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76388221/edward-emmet-degarm[ ] |
| The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Edward Emmet DeGarmo (NSN: 0-85002), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while participating in aerial flights as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron EIGHTY-TWO (VT-82), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), engaged on special missions in close support of ground operations on Okinawa on 3 June 1945. He materially assisted in sustaining the progress of the ground forces by dropping needed supplies and equipment to forward elements in repeated minimum level glides over advance positions. These missions were accomplished during the advance of our forces against determined enemy resistance and in the face of concentrated anti-aircraft fire. As he completed his final mission of the day his plane was struck by enemy anti-aircraft fire which engulfed the engine in flames. In spite of the flames which quickly enveloped the cockpit and of the progressively severe burns he suffered therefrom, he crash-landed his plane within friendly territory so skillfully as to save his aircrewman from all but minor burns and injuries. His cool courage and determination despite his own severe wounds and his superb airmanship were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Edward Emmett De Garmo graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1940. The yearbook, the Lucky Bag, gives his home of record as Lima, Ohio. He was known for his love of bridge, declared to be a "walking dictionary", and to be able to win any debate. He married Beatrice Kirk and they had two children. He was last assigned to the carrier USS Bennington. [ Tribute was paid by the Navy to Lt. Comdr. Edward E. DeGarmo, USN, of Honolulu, posthumously, when he was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star and gold star in lieu of a second award, and the Distinguished Flying Cross and three gold stars, for his part in the successful prosecution of the war in the Pacific. Courageous and aggressive at all times, the gallant airman gave his life in the fight for peace. As flight leader of a carrier based torpedo bomber on 7 Apr 1945, Lt. Comdr. DeGarmo led a low level attack on major units of the Japanese fleet in the East China Sea and scored hits on two cruisers and a destroyer which exploded. Daring and bold, this action won for him a Navy Cross. The Silver Star was awarded Lt. Comdr. DeGarmo for leading his squadron in two aerial flights on the same day against enemy installations in the Tokyo area, causing severe damage. He received also the gold star in place of a second silver star when, as a torpedo plane pilot, he materially assisted in sustaining the progress of the ground forces at Okinawa on 3 June 1945, by dropping needed supplies and equipment over advance positions. For distinguishing himself by heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in action as CO of a torpedo squadron over Hiroshima Bay on 18 Mar 1945, he was given his first Distinguished Flying Cross and subsequently for other aerial engagements he was recognized by presentation of a second, third, and fourth award. He also is the recipient of an Air Medal and five gold stars and a letter of commendation from the Secretary of the Navy. } |
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Navy Cross From Hall of Valor: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Edward Emmet DeGarmo (NSN: 0-85002), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron EIGHTY-TWO (VT-82), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in action against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet in the East China Sea, on 7 April 1945. Leading the strike group to the position of the hostile Task Force, Lieutenant Commander DeGarmo ordered the initial torpedo attack against the cruisers and destroyers protecting a Japanese battleship and, flying low through a barrage of intense anti-aircraft fire, aided in scoring direct hits on two cruisers and a destroyer which exploded upon impact. His inspiring leadership and devotion to the fulfillment of a hazardous mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.: General Orders: Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0592 (July 4, 1945 |
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