"For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond
the call of duty as Flight Officer, Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron TWO FORTY-ONE during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway on June 4 and 5, 1942. When his squadron Commander was shot down
during the initial attack upon an enemy aircraft carrier, Captain
Fleming led the remainder of the division with such fearless
determination that he dived his own plane to the perilously low altitude
of four hundred 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 two minor wounds inflicted upon himself. On the night of June
4, when the Squadron Commander lost his way and became separated from
the others, Captain 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 four 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 five hundred 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 United States Naval Service."
From Capt. Fleming's Medal of Honor citation awarded, November 24, 1942.
St. Thomas Academy "Fleming Saber" award
Thank you for your service and may you beat peace,
Brian
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