Born: April 19, 1921 Lieutenant Junior Grade, United States Navy Service# 0-114500
COMPOSITE SQUADRON 9 (VC-9) USS BOGUE (CVE-9)
Bogue-class escort carrier, commissioned September , 1942
Home or Place of Enlistment: Twin Falls, Idaho Missing in Action: October 4, 1943
FIRST NAVY CROSS CITATION
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 326 (May 1944) Action Date: July 23, 1943; Service: Navy; Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade Company: Composite Squadron 9 (VC-9); Division: U.S.S. Bogue (CVE-9)
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert Lloyd Stearns (NSN: 0-114500), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Composite Squadron NINE (VC-9), attached to the U.S.S. BOGUE (CVE-9), in action against an enemy submarine in the Atlantic Ocean on 23 July 1943. Although rain and light mist necessitated frequent instrument flying, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Stearns launched an immediate attack when the hostile undersea craft was sighted in the waters below. Skillfully maneuvering his plane for maximum striking power despite intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, he accurately released several depth bombs which exploded at the stern of the submarine, causing fatal detonation aboard the hostile ship. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Stearns' outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
SECOND NAVY CROSS CITATION
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 326 (May 1944) & 336 March 1945 Action Date: October 4, 1943; Service: Navy; Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade Company: Composite Squadron 9 (VC-9); Division: U.S.S. Bogue (CVE-9)
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert Lloyd Stearns (NSN: 0-114500), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Composite Squadron NINE (VC-9), attached to the U.S.S. BOGUE (CVE-9), in action against an enemy submarine in the Atlantic Ocean on 4 October 1943. Flying his torpedo bomber on antisubmarine patrol, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Stearns sighted a concentration of four surfaced "U" Boats. Flashing word back to his carrier, he immediately closed in on the submarines for a bombing attack. In the face of furious anti-aircraft fire from the four submarines, he launched an expert and daring run. Then he courageously remained in hazardous contact with the enemy to direct relief planes to the area. Upon arrival of other carrier planes, he skillfully coordinate their efforts for a concerted attack. In the ensuing well-planned action, he fought his bomber valiantly and scored devastating hits that possibly destroyed one of the submarines. Positive indications of the accuracy of his attack and the probably destruction of the submarine were furnished by the large number of floating objects and the heavy oil slick seen on the surface afterwards. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Stearns' superb airmanship and invincible fighting spirit were an inspiration to his comrades and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS CITATION
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 322 (January 1944) Action Date: World War II; Service: Navy; Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade Company: Composite Squadron 9 (VC-9); Division: U.S.S. Bogue (CVE-9)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert Lloyd Stearns (NSN: 0-114500), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II. While carrying out a submarine patrol in company with another plane, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Stearns sighted a surfaced submarine, and, coordinating his actions with the other plane, delivered accurate depth-charge and strafing attacks just as the U-Boat began to submerge. Forced back to the surface, the submarine was then destroyed.
NAVY PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the following Anti-Submarine Task Groups which operated with the U.S.S. BOGUE as flagship: T.G.21.12, T.G.21.13, T.G.21.11, T.G.22.2, T.G.22.3
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION: For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy submarines in the Atlantic Area from April 20, 1943, to August 24, 1944. Carrying out powerful and sustained offensive action during a period of heavy German undersea concentrations threatening our uninterrupted flow of supplies to the European Theater of operations, these Anti-Submarine Task Groups tracked the enemy packs relentlessly and, by the unwavering vigilance and persistent aggressiveness of all units involved, sank a notable number of hostile U-boats. The gallant and superb teamwork of the officers and men who fought the embarked planes and who manned the BOGUE and her escort vessels were largely instrumental in forcing the complete withdrawal of enemy submarines from supply routes essential to the maintenance of our established military supremacy.