Robert L. Carmichael

Lieutenant, U. S. Navy

Navy Cross

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander Fast Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0439 (August 20, 1944)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Robert Carmichael, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron ONE (VB-1), Air Group ONE (AG-1), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CVL-10), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 20 June 1944.
Flying at extreme range from base to participate in a daring strike on a hostile aircraft carrier, Lieutenant Carmichael fought his plane gallantly against enemy intercepting aircraft and, going in low despite the intense hostile anti-aircraft fire, he launched a brilliantly executed dive-bombing attack which resulted in the scoring of three direct and two probably hits on the enemy warship. With his fuel supply nearly exhausted, he succeeded in making a safe night carrier landing under the most hazardous conditions. Lieutenant Carmichael's great personal valor and aggressive fighting spirit in the fulfillment of a dangerous mission reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.