Mazza, Harold Ralph
- Date of birth:
- November 15th, 1912 (Petaluma/California, United States)
- Date of death:
- June 24th, 1956 (Burlingame-San Mateo County/California, United States)
- Nationality:
- American (1776 - present, Republic)
Biography
Promotions:
?: Lieutenant Commander;
?: Commander.
Career:
?: Pilot, Torpedo Squadron 2 (VT-2);
?: Pilot, Torpedo Squadron 12 (VT-12);
?: Pilot, Torpedo Squadron 47 (VT-47);
?: Commanding Officer, Torpedo Squadron 47 (VT-47).
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Navy Cross
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Ensign
- Unit:
- Torpedo Squadron 2 (VT-2), U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2), U.S. Navy
- Awarded on:
- April 27th, 1942
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron TWO (VT-2), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces over enemy-controlled waters near Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea on 10 March 1942. Ensign Mazza participated in a vigorous and determined dive-bombing attack, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, on enemy ships, and as a result of this attack at least one ship was sunk. His outstanding courage, daring airmanship and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 6 (April 27, 1942)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Ensign
- Unit:
- Torpedo Squadron 2 (VT-2), U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2), U.S. Navy
- Awarded on:
- May 8th, 1942
Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron TWO (VT-2), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces on 8 May 1942, in the Air Battle of the Coral Sea. In spite of heavy anti-aircraft fire and concerted enemy fighter opposition, Ensign Mazza closed to within a few hundred yards of the target to execute a fearless and determined attack. Scoring a hit on an enemy aircraft carrier, he thereby contributed to the severe damage and probable destruction of the vessel and aided materially in the success of the operation. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 308 (November 1942).
Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 2050 (May 8, 1942).
Second NC awarded in the form of a gold star to be worn on the ribbon of the first NC.
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron TWO (VT-2), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces on 8 May 1942, in the Air Battle of the Coral Sea. In spite of heavy anti-aircraft fire and concerted enemy fighter opposition, Ensign Mazza closed to within a few hundred yards of the target to execute a fearless and determined attack. Scoring a hit on an enemy aircraft carrier, he thereby contributed to the severe damage and probable destruction of the vessel and aided materially in the success of the operation. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 308 (November 1942).
Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 2050 (May 8, 1942).
Second NC awarded in the form of a gold star to be worn on the ribbon of the first NC.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant Commander
- Unit:
- Torpedo Squadron 47 (VT-47), U.S.S. Bataan (CVL-29), U.S. Navy
- Awarded on:
- July 6th, 1945
Citation:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron FORTY-SEVEN (VT-47), attached to the U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL-29), in action while participating in an aerial flight on 19 March 1945. As Squadron Commander and Flight Leader of carrier based torpedo bombers he led a coordinated squadron bombing attack against enemy shipping located in Kobe Bay on the Japan mainland island of Honshu. Flying through intense anti-aircraft fire, he pressed home his hits and inflicting extensive damage, to remove the latent menace to our own fleet operations. His courage, determination and skill in the execution of this mission were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0920 (July 6, 1945)
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron FORTY-SEVEN (VT-47), attached to the U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL-29), in action while participating in an aerial flight on 19 March 1945. As Squadron Commander and Flight Leader of carrier based torpedo bombers he led a coordinated squadron bombing attack against enemy shipping located in Kobe Bay on the Japan mainland island of Honshu. Flying through intense anti-aircraft fire, he pressed home his hits and inflicting extensive damage, to remove the latent menace to our own fleet operations. His courage, determination and skill in the execution of this mission were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0920 (July 6, 1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant Commander
- Unit:
- Torpedo Squadron 47 (VT-47), U.S.S. Bataan (CVL-29), U.S. Navy
- Awarded on:
- July 6th, 1945
Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FORTY-SEVEN (VT-47), attached to the U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL-29), in action on 7 April 1945, while deployed over the East China Sea. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0920 (July 6, 1945).
Third NC awarded in the form of a second gold star to be worn on the ribbon of the first NC.
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FORTY-SEVEN (VT-47), attached to the U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL-29), in action on 7 April 1945, while deployed over the East China Sea. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0920 (July 6, 1945).
Third NC awarded in the form of a second gold star to be worn on the ribbon of the first NC.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant Commander
- Unit:
- Torpedo Squadron 47 (VT-47), U.S.S. Bataan (CVL-29), U.S. Navy
- Awarded on:
- July 27th, 1945
Citation:
"For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy in the vicinity of the Japan mainland Island of Kyushu and in the Nansei Shoto. As Squadron Commander and Pilot of a carrier based torpedo bomber plane during the period 18 March to 14 May 1945, he participated in twenty strikes against enemy shipping, airfields and installations, inflicting extensive damage. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0925 (July 27, 1945).
"For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy in the vicinity of the Japan mainland Island of Kyushu and in the Nansei Shoto. As Squadron Commander and Pilot of a carrier based torpedo bomber plane during the period 18 March to 14 May 1945, he participated in twenty strikes against enemy shipping, airfields and installations, inflicting extensive damage. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0925 (July 27, 1945).
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant Commander
- Unit:
- Torpedo Squadron 47 (VT-47), U.S.S. Bataan (CVL-29), U.S. Navy
- Awarded on:
- September 22nd, 1945
Citation:
"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 FORTY-SEVEN (VT-47), attached to the U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL-29), in action on 28 July 1945, and deployed over Kure, Japan. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01900 (September 22, 1945).
Fourth NC awarded in the form of a third gold star to be worn on the ribbon of the first NC.
"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 FORTY-SEVEN (VT-47), attached to the U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL-29), in action on 28 July 1945, and deployed over Kure, Japan. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01900 (September 22, 1945).
Fourth NC awarded in the form of a third gold star to be worn on the ribbon of the first NC.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- - Sterner C.D., Recipients of The Navy Cross, 1916 - Present
- History of Fighting Squadron 47
- U.S. Navy Records Search & Veteran Locator | TWS
- Harold Mazza - Recipient - Military Times Hall Of Valor
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