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Adapted from "Captain Daniel A. Carmichael, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, Deceased"  [biography, dated 27 December 1966] in Modern Biographical Files collection, Navy Department Library.

Topic
  • Aviation
Document Type
  • Biography
Wars & Conflicts
  • World War II 1939-1945
File Formats
Location of Archival Materials
  • NHHC-Library

Daniel Archibald Carmichael, Jr.

24 October 1918-31 July 2014

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Daniel Archibald Carmichael, Jr., was born in Washington, DC, on October 24, 1918, son of Daniel A. and Tracy Cecelia (Dunning) Carmichael. He attended Columbus (Ohio) Academy and Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in architecture in 1941. On March 18, 1942 he enlisted in the V-5 Program of the US Naval Reserve and on August 4, 1942 was appointed Aviation Cadet, USNR. He had flight training at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida and on March 2, 1943 was designated Naval Aviator and commissioned Ensign, USNR. Advancing progressively in rank, he attained that of Captain, to date from July 1, 1963. On June 1, 1965 he was transferred to the Retired Reserve.

After receiving his “Wings” in 1943, he was assigned briefly to the Naval Air Station, Miami, Florida, and during April and May 1943 was attached to the Naval Air Operational Training Command, Norfolk, Virginia. He next joined Fighting Squadron Two, based on USS Enterprise and USS Hornet and for outstanding service while attached to that squadron was awarded the Air Medal, Silver Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross and a Gold Star in lieu of the Second Air Medal. The citations follow in part:

Air Medal: “For meritorious achievement . . . in action against enemy Japanese forces in the New Guinea Area in April 1944. Participating in an anti-submarine patrol, (he) intercepted an enemy medium bomber and, pressing home his attack, shot down the hostile plane. . .”

Silver Star Medal: “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity . . . during action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Marianas Islands, on June 11 and 19, 1944. With his plane attacked twice by hostile aircraft while circling over a downed pilot near Guam, (he) engaged and shot down two fighters. Dispatched to intercept a force of enemy planes threatening our major Fleet units during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, he carried out an attack, destroying a fighter and two torpedo bombers and contributed to the success of the mission . . .”

Distinguished Flying Cross: “For heroism and extraordinary achievement . . . during action against enemy Japanese forces in the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on June 20, 1944. Undaunted by hostile antiaircraft fire, (he) carried out a bombing and strafing attack against major units of the Japanese Fleet, scoring a probable hit on a large carrier and contributing to the success of the mission . . .”

Gold Star in lieu of the Second Air Medal: “For meritorious achievement . . . in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Kazan Islands on July 3, 1944. An aggressive airman, (he)

Pressed home a bombing attack on an enemy airfield to destroy a large number of planes on the ground and, engaging a superior number of enemy airborne fighters, succeeded in shooting down two of the hostile craft. . .”

He was also awarded Gold Stars in lieu of the Seventh through the Thirteenth Air Medals and Gold Stars in lieu of the Fourth and Fifth Distinguished Flying Crosses for completing sixty-five missions during the period November 19, 1943 to September 21, 1944. In addition he is entitled to the Ribbon for, and a facsimile of the Presidential Unit Citation awarded USS Hornet and the Ribbon for, and facsimile of the Navy Unit Commendation awarded USS Enterprise.

From January to May 1945, he had duty with Bombing Fighting Squadron Twelve, attached to USS Randolph. He was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of the Second Silver Star Medal, Gold Star in lieu of the Third Air Medal and a Gold Star in lieu of the Second Distinguished Flying Cross. The citations follow in part:

Gold Star in lieu of the Second Silver Star Medal: “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity . . . in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of Tokyo, Japan, on February 16, 1945. Leading his division in repeated rocket and strafing runs on a hostile airfield, (he) contributed materially to the success of the mission in inflicting severe damage on numerous aircraft and installations. Counterattacked by a Japanese fighter force, he personally shot down two of the hostile planes and directed his division in destroying the rest . . .”

Gold Star in lieu of the Third Air Medal: “For meritorious achievement . . . in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of Tokyo, Japan, on February 16, 1945. Leading his division on a sweep against hostile installations, (he) destroyed in aerial combat one enemy fighter plane and made repeated strafing and rocket attacks on grounded aircraft, thereby contributing materially to the success of the mission . . .”

Gold Star in lieu of the Second Distinguished Flying Cross: “For heroism and extraordinary achievement . . . in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of Tokyo, Japan, on February 17, 1945. Leading his division as escort for a dive and torpedo-bomber attack against an important hostile industrial plant, (he) fired his rockets into the target area and contributed materially to the defense of our bombers by shooting down in flame an intercepting fighter. . .”

In addition, he was awarded Gold Stars in lieu of the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Air Medals and a Gold Star in lieu of the Third Distinguished Flying Cross for completing twenty missions from February 16 to May 12, 1945.

In May 1945 he was assigned to Bombing Fighting Squadron Ninety-eight and served with that squadron until released from active duty on November 20, 1945. He subsequently participated in annual periods of Reserve training duty until transferred to the Retired Reserve, effective June 1, 1965.

In addition to the Silver Star Medal with Gold Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with four Gold Stars, the Air Medal with twelve Gold Stars, the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with star, and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Captain Carmichael has the American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

He died July 31, 2014.

END

Published: Fri May 22 10:21:51 EDT 2020