*Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to John Russell Amussen (0-251003), Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron FOURTEEN (VB-14), embarked from the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), in action against the enemy Japanese Fleet in the vicinity of the East Philippine Sea on 20 June 1944. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Amussen's attack against an enemy fleet oiler was pressed home to a low altitude with determination and skill in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. He scored direct hits with his bombs and contributed heavily to the destruction of the enemy ship. During retirement his excellent airmanship and coolness were instrumental in frustrating enemy fighters which made repeated attacks against his division. While returning to his own forces, his fuel exhausted, he was forced to make a water landing in complete darkness. Both he and his aircrewman escaped injury and were eventually rescued. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0583 (September 27, 1944)
THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 1945, PAGES THIRTEEN AND TWENTY
JOHN RUSSELL AMUSSEN
Lt. (j.g.) John Russell Amussen, son of Mrs. Lorna Russell Amussen, now en route to her home in Washington, D.C., was killed in a training plane crash near Coronado, Cal., his mother learned Sunday while visiting in Salt Lake City.
Holder of the distinguished flying cross, Lt. Amussen entered the navy three years ago, and returned to the United States from a tour of duty in the Pacific in December. While overseas, he was missing for six weeks after being shot down over the ocean.
Lt. Amussen was training a squadron at Coronado to go overseas when he was killed.
Survivors include his mother; widow, Mrs. Margaret Sanderson Amussen, en route to Washington, D.C., from California; a daughter, Tharon Banfield Amussen, and three brothers, Theodore S. Amussen, Washington; Robert Amussen, with the navy on Okinawa, and Christopher Amussen, USMC, North Carolina.
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to John Russell Amussen (0-251003), Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron FOURTEEN (VB-14), embarked from the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), in action against the enemy Japanese Fleet in the vicinity of the East Philippine Sea on 20 June 1944. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Amussen's attack against an enemy fleet oiler was pressed home to a low altitude with determination and skill in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. He scored direct hits with his bombs and contributed heavily to the destruction of the enemy ship. During retirement his excellent airmanship and coolness were instrumental in frustrating enemy fighters which made repeated attacks against his division. While returning to his own forces, his fuel exhausted, he was forced to make a water landing in complete darkness. Both he and his aircrewman escaped injury and were eventually rescued. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0583 (September 27, 1944)
THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 1945, PAGES THIRTEEN AND TWENTY
JOHN RUSSELL AMUSSEN
Lt. (j.g.) John Russell Amussen, son of Mrs. Lorna Russell Amussen, now en route to her home in Washington, D.C., was killed in a training plane crash near Coronado, Cal., his mother learned Sunday while visiting in Salt Lake City.
Holder of the distinguished flying cross, Lt. Amussen entered the navy three years ago, and returned to the United States from a tour of duty in the Pacific in December. While overseas, he was missing for six weeks after being shot down over the ocean.
Lt. Amussen was training a squadron at Coronado to go overseas when he was killed.
Survivors include his mother; widow, Mrs. Margaret Sanderson Amussen, en route to Washington, D.C., from California; a daughter, Tharon Banfield Amussen, and three brothers, Theodore S. Amussen, Washington; Robert Amussen, with the navy on Okinawa, and Christopher Amussen, USMC, North Carolina.
*Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to John Russell Amussen (0-251003), Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron FOURTEEN (VB-14), embarked from the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), in action against the enemy Japanese Fleet in the vicinity of the East Philippine Sea on 20 June 1944. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Amussen's attack against an enemy fleet oiler was pressed home to a low altitude with determination and skill in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. He scored direct hits with his bombs and contributed heavily to the destruction of the enemy ship. During retirement his excellent airmanship and coolness were instrumental in frustrating enemy fighters which made repeated attacks against his division. While returning to his own forces, his fuel exhausted, he was forced to make a water landing in complete darkness. Both he and his aircrewman escaped injury and were eventually rescued. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0583 (September 27, 1944)
THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 1945, PAGES THIRTEEN AND TWENTY
JOHN RUSSELL AMUSSEN
Lt. (j.g.) John Russell Amussen, son of Mrs. Lorna Russell Amussen, now en route to her home in Washington, D.C., was killed in a training plane crash near Coronado, Cal., his mother learned Sunday while visiting in Salt Lake City.
Holder of the distinguished flying cross, Lt. Amussen entered the navy three years ago, and returned to the United States from a tour of duty in the Pacific in December. While overseas, he was missing for six weeks after being shot down over the ocean.
Lt. Amussen was training a squadron at Coronado to go overseas when he was killed.
Survivors include his mother; widow, Mrs. Margaret Sanderson Amussen, en route to Washington, D.C., from California; a daughter, Tharon Banfield Amussen, and three brothers, Theodore S. Amussen, Washington; Robert Amussen, with the navy on Okinawa, and Christopher Amussen, USMC, North Carolina.
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to John Russell Amussen (0-251003), Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron FOURTEEN (VB-14), embarked from the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), in action against the enemy Japanese Fleet in the vicinity of the East Philippine Sea on 20 June 1944. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Amussen's attack against an enemy fleet oiler was pressed home to a low altitude with determination and skill in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. He scored direct hits with his bombs and contributed heavily to the destruction of the enemy ship. During retirement his excellent airmanship and coolness were instrumental in frustrating enemy fighters which made repeated attacks against his division. While returning to his own forces, his fuel exhausted, he was forced to make a water landing in complete darkness. Both he and his aircrewman escaped injury and were eventually rescued. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0583 (September 27, 1944)
THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 1945, PAGES THIRTEEN AND TWENTY
JOHN RUSSELL AMUSSEN
Lt. (j.g.) John Russell Amussen, son of Mrs. Lorna Russell Amussen, now en route to her home in Washington, D.C., was killed in a training plane crash near Coronado, Cal., his mother learned Sunday while visiting in Salt Lake City.
Holder of the distinguished flying cross, Lt. Amussen entered the navy three years ago, and returned to the United States from a tour of duty in the Pacific in December. While overseas, he was missing for six weeks after being shot down over the ocean.
Lt. Amussen was training a squadron at Coronado to go overseas when he was killed.
Survivors include his mother; widow, Mrs. Margaret Sanderson Amussen, en route to Washington, D.C., from California; a daughter, Tharon Banfield Amussen, and three brothers, Theodore S. Amussen, Washington; Robert Amussen, with the navy on Okinawa, and Christopher Amussen, USMC, North Carolina.
Inscription
LTJG, US NAVY WORLD WAR II
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
