Awarded the Navy Cross for "Extraodinary Heroism" during aerial operations against an enemy fleet on October 24, 1944 in the Philippine Sea. Boles used his Navy Hellcat to strafe two Japanese battleships and a destroyer from 100 feet. His actions supressed the enemy fleet's anti-air fire, which enabled bombers and torpedo planes to successfully attack them. Boles actions saved the lives of many pilots and their crews. Two weeks later Boles led a flight from the USS Lexington to Manila, where they shot down four enemy planes. As they were departing from the area, his aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire.
Boles was given the nickname of Smiley by those he served with, because he never smiled.
Awarded the Navy Cross for "Extraodinary Heroism" during aerial operations against an enemy fleet on October 24, 1944 in the Philippine Sea. Boles used his Navy Hellcat to strafe two Japanese battleships and a destroyer from 100 feet. His actions supressed the enemy fleet's anti-air fire, which enabled bombers and torpedo planes to successfully attack them. Boles actions saved the lives of many pilots and their crews. Two weeks later Boles led a flight from the USS Lexington to Manila, where they shot down four enemy planes. As they were departing from the area, his aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire.
Boles was given the nickname of Smiley by those he served with, because he never smiled.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
