For Bio:
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Gunner's Mate First Class Virgil Glenn Sharpe, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Member of the Crew of the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CV-14), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Formosa, on 21 January 1945. After his ship was struck by a suicide plane during an overwhelming enemy air attack, Gunner's Mate First Class Sharpe assumed charge of a 20-mm. battery and directed his men until the intense strafing and bombing attack culminated in the crash of a second suicide craft on the forward gun director. Although sustaining shrapnel wounds in both legs and in the body from the second crash, he struggled to his feet and, entering the ready service magazine which was endangered by flames, turned on the sprinkler system, and averted a threatened magazine explosion. Then applying a tourniquet to one man whose leg was blown off, he assisted in caring for many other wounded before loss of blood necessitated his removal to sick bay. By his courage, initiative and presence of mind in the face of great danger, Gunner's Mate First Class Sharpe upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Contributor: BarryC
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Gunner's Mate First Class Virgil Glenn Sharpe, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Member of the Crew of the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CV-14), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Formosa, on 21 January 1945. After his ship was struck by a suicide plane during an overwhelming enemy air attack, Gunner's Mate First Class Sharpe assumed charge of a 20-mm. battery and directed his men until the intense strafing and bombing attack culminated in the crash of a second suicide craft on the forward gun director. Although sustaining shrapnel wounds in both legs and in the body from the second crash, he struggled to his feet and, entering the ready service magazine which was endangered by flames, turned on the sprinkler system, and averted a threatened magazine explosion. Then applying a tourniquet to one man whose leg was blown off, he assisted in caring for many other wounded before loss of blood necessitated his removal to sick bay. By his courage, initiative and presence of mind in the face of great danger, Gunner's Mate First Class Sharpe upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Contributor: BarryC
For Bio:
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Gunner's Mate First Class Virgil Glenn Sharpe, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Member of the Crew of the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CV-14), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Formosa, on 21 January 1945. After his ship was struck by a suicide plane during an overwhelming enemy air attack, Gunner's Mate First Class Sharpe assumed charge of a 20-mm. battery and directed his men until the intense strafing and bombing attack culminated in the crash of a second suicide craft on the forward gun director. Although sustaining shrapnel wounds in both legs and in the body from the second crash, he struggled to his feet and, entering the ready service magazine which was endangered by flames, turned on the sprinkler system, and averted a threatened magazine explosion. Then applying a tourniquet to one man whose leg was blown off, he assisted in caring for many other wounded before loss of blood necessitated his removal to sick bay. By his courage, initiative and presence of mind in the face of great danger, Gunner's Mate First Class Sharpe upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Contributor: BarryC
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Gunner's Mate First Class Virgil Glenn Sharpe, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Member of the Crew of the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CV-14), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Formosa, on 21 January 1945. After his ship was struck by a suicide plane during an overwhelming enemy air attack, Gunner's Mate First Class Sharpe assumed charge of a 20-mm. battery and directed his men until the intense strafing and bombing attack culminated in the crash of a second suicide craft on the forward gun director. Although sustaining shrapnel wounds in both legs and in the body from the second crash, he struggled to his feet and, entering the ready service magazine which was endangered by flames, turned on the sprinkler system, and averted a threatened magazine explosion. Then applying a tourniquet to one man whose leg was blown off, he assisted in caring for many other wounded before loss of blood necessitated his removal to sick bay. By his courage, initiative and presence of mind in the face of great danger, Gunner's Mate First Class Sharpe upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Contributor: BarryC
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