Medal of Honor: Richard E. Fleming – World War II – June 4–5, 1942

Name: Richard E. Fleming
Rank: Captain
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
War: World War II
Unit: Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241)
Date of Action: June 4–5, 1942
Location: Battle of Midway, Pacific Ocean

Summary of Action

During the pivotal Battle of Midway, Captain Richard E. Fleming displayed extraordinary courage and devotion to duty while serving as a flight officer with Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 241.

On 4 June 1942, Marine aviators launched attacks against the advancing Japanese carrier force. During the initial assault, Fleming's squadron commander was shot down while leading the attack. Without hesitation, Fleming assumed leadership of the remaining aircraft and continued the mission.

Determined to make his bomb count, he pressed his attack far lower than normal combat doctrine recommended. Diving through intense anti-aircraft fire and attacks from Japanese fighters, he held his course until reaching an altitude of only 400 feet before releasing his bomb.

The enemy's defensive fire tore into his aircraft. By the time he pulled away from the target, his plane had been struck approximately 179 times. Despite the incredible damage and suffering minor wounds himself, Fleming successfully brought his crippled aircraft out of the attack.

That night, with weather conditions deteriorating and darkness covering the Pacific, the squadron became separated while returning to Midway. When his commander became lost, Fleming successfully navigated through the hazardous conditions and safely landed his damaged aircraft at base.

After only a few hours of rest, he was back in the air on 5 June for another attack against the Japanese fleet.

Leading the second division of his squadron, Fleming participated in a coordinated assault against a Japanese battleship. As his aircraft began its attack run, enemy fire struck the plane and set it ablaze.

Many pilots would have broken off the attack.

Fleming did not.

With his aircraft burning around him, he continued his dive toward the target, holding his course until he descended to approximately 500 feet. He released his bomb, scoring a near miss against the battleship's stern.

Moments later, his aircraft crashed into the sea in flames.

Captain Richard E. Fleming's extraordinary bravery, leadership, and determination exemplified the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and Naval Service during one of the most decisive battles of World War II.

Medal of Honor Citation

FLEMING, RICHARD E.

Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

Born: 2 November 1917, St. Paul, Minn.

Appointed from: Minnesota.

Citation:

For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty as Flight Officer, Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 241, during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway on 4 and 5 June 1942. When his Squadron Commander was shot down during the initial attack upon an enemy aircraft carrier, Capt. Fleming led the remainder of the division with such fearless determination that he dived his own plane to the perilously low altitude of 400 feet before releasing his bomb. Although his craft was riddled by 179 hits in the blistering hail of fire that burst upon him from Japanese fighter guns and antiaircraft batteries, he pulled out with only 2 minor wounds inflicted upon himself. On the night of 4 June, when the squadron commander lost his way and became separated from the others, Capt. Fleming brought his own plane in for a safe landing at its base despite hazardous weather conditions and total darkness. The following day, after less than 4 hours' sleep, he led the second division of his squadron in a coordinated glide-bombing and dive-bombing assault upon a Japanese battleship. Undeterred by a fateful approach glide, during which his ship was struck and set afire, he grimly pressed home his attack to an altitude of 500 feet, released his bomb to score a near miss on the stern of his target, then crashed to the sea in flames. His dauntless perseverance and unyielding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.