Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (junior grade)

Unit:

Bombing Squadron 20 (VB-20), U.S. Navy (Bombing Squadron 20 (VB-20), U.S. Navy)

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier- based Navy Dive Bomber and Section Leader in Bombing Squadron TWENTY (VB-20), embarked from the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during action against units of the Japanese Fleet in waters west of the Central Philippine Islands during the Battle for Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. Flying as wingman on a search and attack mission when an enemy task force was sighted and his division was assigned an aircraft carrier as a target, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Pohtilla defied the withering barrages of antiaircraft fire to dive low over the hostile warship and release his bombs at perilously low altitude to score direct hits which started fires and contributed materially to the infliction of extensive damage on the Japanese vessel. His superb airmanship, inspiring courage and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Pohtilla and the United States Naval Service."