Harry B. Gibbs’ Navy Cross citation

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

Harry Bonaparte Gibbs

Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve)

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THREE (VF-3), embarked from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. While flying combat air patrol over friendly surface ships, Ensign Gibbs engaged in an assault upon a formation of 18 Japanese dive bombers and, by relentless pursuit and expert gunnery, shot down one. Continuing his attack with only a single gun firing, he caused another dive bomber to burst into flames and explode as it struck the sea. Later in the same day, while he was fighting to intercept an aerial torpedo attack upon the U.S.S. YORKTOWN, his plane was so badly damaged that he was forced to make a landing on the water, where he remained all night, partially submerged because of bullet holes in his rubber raft. The outstanding courage and determined skill of Ensign Gibbs were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.