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William C. Edwards 1914 -

Navy Cross Awarded for actions during World War II SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] William Clarence Edwards, United States Navy, was awarded the Navy Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement. credited with shooting down 7.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, including becoming an ACE in a Day in one single action. Service: Navy    Rank: Captain

      GENERAL ORDERS: Commander Air Forces Pacific: Serial 25348 (December 9, 1945)

      CITATION: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] William Clarence Edwards, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Bombing Fighting Squadron EIGHTY (VBF-80), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19). <
      On 16 February 1945, during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Tokyo, Japan Area, on 16 February 1945. Leading a Division of planes in an attack against numerically superior enemy aircraft, Lieutenant Commander Edwards personally shot down five enemy fighters and probably destroyed another. His skilled airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

       Lieutenant William C. Edwards, Jr., knocked down two Nates, two Zekes, and an Oscar by exploiting a consistent altitude advantage. Making only fast, steep gunnery passes, the F6F's nullified the superior maneuverability of the Japanese aircraft.