United States Navy Pilot. A native of Kentucky, Johnny Magda entered the United States Navy in 1940, and was assigned as a fighter pilot on board of the USS Hornet in 1941 and in 1942, he took part in the Battle of Midway. In 1943 he was assigned to the USS Saratoga until 1944 when he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. In 1949, Magda was assigned to the Blue Angels demonstration team. In 1950, Magda became the commander of the team. With the coming of the Korean War, the Blue Angels were assigned to the USS Princeton. On March 8, 1951, Magda's plane was shot down into the sea by anti-aircraft fire. He would be the first member of the Blue Angels to be killed in combat. During his career, he would be awarded numerous medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, and Navy Cross.
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander John Joseph Magda (NSN: 0-98678), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Pilot with Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-ONE (VF-191) attached to Carrier Air Group NINETEEN on board the U.S.S. Princeton (CV-37), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 8 March 1951. Skillfully leading a daring strike against enemy installations at Tanch'on, Lieutenant Commander Magda braved intense hostile anti-aircraft fire to press home vigorous bombing and strafing runs. When his aircraft was struck by enemy fire and burst into flames, he gallantly continued to carry out the attack, destroying several gun emplacements and inflicting severe damage on nearby rail installations. With all his ammunition expended, he turned his fiercely burning plane seaward in an attempt to avert capture and the possible compromise of his aircraft. Successful in reaching this final objective before his plane crashed out of control into the sea, Lieutenant Commander Magda, by his inspiring leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and selfless devotion to the fulfillment of his assigned mission, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander John Joseph Magda (NSN: 0-98678), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Pilot with Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-ONE (VF-191) attached to Carrier Air Group NINETEEN on board the U.S.S. Princeton (CV-37), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 8 March 1951. Skillfully leading a daring strike against enemy installations at Tanch'on, Lieutenant Commander Magda braved intense hostile anti-aircraft fire to press home vigorous bombing and strafing runs. When his aircraft was struck by enemy fire and burst into flames, he gallantly continued to carry out the attack, destroying several gun emplacements and inflicting severe damage on nearby rail installations. With all his ammunition expended, he turned his fiercely burning plane seaward in an attempt to avert capture and the possible compromise of his aircraft. Successful in reaching this final objective before his plane crashed out of control into the sea, Lieutenant Commander Magda, by his inspiring leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and selfless devotion to the fulfillment of his assigned mission, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
United States Navy Pilot. A native of Kentucky, Johnny Magda entered the United States Navy in 1940, and was assigned as a fighter pilot on board of the USS Hornet in 1941 and in 1942, he took part in the Battle of Midway. In 1943 he was assigned to the USS Saratoga until 1944 when he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. In 1949, Magda was assigned to the Blue Angels demonstration team. In 1950, Magda became the commander of the team. With the coming of the Korean War, the Blue Angels were assigned to the USS Princeton. On March 8, 1951, Magda's plane was shot down into the sea by anti-aircraft fire. He would be the first member of the Blue Angels to be killed in combat. During his career, he would be awarded numerous medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, and Navy Cross.
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander John Joseph Magda (NSN: 0-98678), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Pilot with Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-ONE (VF-191) attached to Carrier Air Group NINETEEN on board the U.S.S. Princeton (CV-37), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 8 March 1951. Skillfully leading a daring strike against enemy installations at Tanch'on, Lieutenant Commander Magda braved intense hostile anti-aircraft fire to press home vigorous bombing and strafing runs. When his aircraft was struck by enemy fire and burst into flames, he gallantly continued to carry out the attack, destroying several gun emplacements and inflicting severe damage on nearby rail installations. With all his ammunition expended, he turned his fiercely burning plane seaward in an attempt to avert capture and the possible compromise of his aircraft. Successful in reaching this final objective before his plane crashed out of control into the sea, Lieutenant Commander Magda, by his inspiring leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and selfless devotion to the fulfillment of his assigned mission, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander John Joseph Magda (NSN: 0-98678), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Pilot with Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-ONE (VF-191) attached to Carrier Air Group NINETEEN on board the U.S.S. Princeton (CV-37), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 8 March 1951. Skillfully leading a daring strike against enemy installations at Tanch'on, Lieutenant Commander Magda braved intense hostile anti-aircraft fire to press home vigorous bombing and strafing runs. When his aircraft was struck by enemy fire and burst into flames, he gallantly continued to carry out the attack, destroying several gun emplacements and inflicting severe damage on nearby rail installations. With all his ammunition expended, he turned his fiercely burning plane seaward in an attempt to avert capture and the possible compromise of his aircraft. Successful in reaching this final objective before his plane crashed out of control into the sea, Lieutenant Commander Magda, by his inspiring leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and selfless devotion to the fulfillment of his assigned mission, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
Bio by: G.Photographer
