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Cabell, John Breckenridge (USN)

Date of birth:
1921 (Wisconsin - USA)
Date of death:
April 7th, 2011 (Norfolk, VA - USA)
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

1942-1943: Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD)
1942-1943: Bombers School
1942-1943: Naval Flight School
1942-1944: USS Essex (CV-9)
1947-1948: Rotary Wing
1950-1952: HTU-1
1959-1960: HS-6 Indians

Retired U.S. Navy Commander. Mr. Cabell had a distinguished career as a Naval officer and decorated combat veteran of World War II and the Korean war. He was a World War II bomber pilot, and in 1948 he became the 89th pilot to fly Navy helicopters.
He studied Engineering at the University of Montana, and graduated from Stanford University with a BSME.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant (junior grade)
Unit:
Torpedo Squadron 83 (VT-83) - U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Breckenridge Cabell, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VT-83), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese Fleet units at the Kure Naval Base, Honshu, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Participating in an attack on major ships of the enemy Fleet, including aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Cabell pressed home his attack in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire to score a direct hit on an enemy warship. His skill, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0807 (July 6, 1943)
Navy Cross

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