Albert D. Cooley’s Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to

Albert Dustin Cooley

Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer and a Pilot of the Bomber Command, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, in combat against enemy Japanese forces from 23 September 1942 to 18 December 1942. Assuming his duties on 23 September, after months of strenuous combat had seriously depleted the number of men and amount of equipment, Lieutenant Colonel Cooley reorganized and skillfully built up the strength of his command. Leading a group of dive bombers and fighters on 12 October in a determined raid against enemy destroyers, he gallantly pressed home the attack, personally scoring a hit on one of the Japanese ships. On 14 October, with all but one of his planes put out of commission by terrific fire from enemy surface vessels, Lieutenant Colonel Cooley, in spite of intermittent bombing and shellfire from hostile artillery, worked tirelessly to direct the repair of damaged planes, with the result that twelve additional aircraft were placed in commission on that day in time to strike repeatedly at the enemy ship-borne invasion forces. Again from 11 to 15 November the Aviation Units under his command attacked the Japanese, destroying two cruisers, seven airplanes, and twelve transports contributing in great part to the success of our engagement in that area. Lieutenant Colonel Cooley’s exceptional skill, leadership, and indomitable fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.