Lieutenant (Junior Grade) D. W. Shumway, USN, was designated naval aviator #4243 in 1936. Graduated from US Naval Academy, Class of 1932. Was awarded two Navy Crosses and two Distinguished Flying Crosses during World War II. Was involved in the Battle of Midway as the executive officer of Bombing Squadron Three (VB-3).
Commander Shumway and eight other officers and enlisted men were killed on Culebra Island when aircraft from the aircraft carrier USS Tarawa (CV-40) accidently bombed an observation tower located near the weapons range.
Shumway was the son of Harold Rouse and Pearl May Wood Shumway. In addition to his mother and sister Mrs. Ruth (Joseph) Dalton, he left his widow, the former Miss Helen Diane Battle and son David.
First Navy Cross Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander DeWitt Wood Shumway, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Acting Commander of Bombing Squadron THREE (VB-3), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 - 6 June 1942. Lieutenant Commander Shumway led his squadron in a vigorous dive-bombing assault against Japanese naval units, in the face of concentrated anti-aircraft fire and powerful fighter opposition, and pressed home his attack with courageous aggressiveness and utter disregard for his own personal safety. His capable initiative and inspiring leadership contributed to the high state of combat efficiency which enabled his squadron to score at least five direct hits on an enemy aircraft carrier. Lieutenant Commander Shumway's inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital missions and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.
Commander Shumway and eight other officers and enlisted men were killed on Culebra Island when aircraft from the aircraft carrier USS Tarawa (CV-40) accidently bombed an observation tower located near the weapons range.
Shumway was the son of Harold Rouse and Pearl May Wood Shumway. In addition to his mother and sister Mrs. Ruth (Joseph) Dalton, he left his widow, the former Miss Helen Diane Battle and son David.
First Navy Cross Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander DeWitt Wood Shumway, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Acting Commander of Bombing Squadron THREE (VB-3), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 - 6 June 1942. Lieutenant Commander Shumway led his squadron in a vigorous dive-bombing assault against Japanese naval units, in the face of concentrated anti-aircraft fire and powerful fighter opposition, and pressed home his attack with courageous aggressiveness and utter disregard for his own personal safety. His capable initiative and inspiring leadership contributed to the high state of combat efficiency which enabled his squadron to score at least five direct hits on an enemy aircraft carrier. Lieutenant Commander Shumway's inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital missions and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) D. W. Shumway, USN, was designated naval aviator #4243 in 1936. Graduated from US Naval Academy, Class of 1932. Was awarded two Navy Crosses and two Distinguished Flying Crosses during World War II. Was involved in the Battle of Midway as the executive officer of Bombing Squadron Three (VB-3).
Commander Shumway and eight other officers and enlisted men were killed on Culebra Island when aircraft from the aircraft carrier USS Tarawa (CV-40) accidently bombed an observation tower located near the weapons range.
Shumway was the son of Harold Rouse and Pearl May Wood Shumway. In addition to his mother and sister Mrs. Ruth (Joseph) Dalton, he left his widow, the former Miss Helen Diane Battle and son David.
First Navy Cross Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander DeWitt Wood Shumway, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Acting Commander of Bombing Squadron THREE (VB-3), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 - 6 June 1942. Lieutenant Commander Shumway led his squadron in a vigorous dive-bombing assault against Japanese naval units, in the face of concentrated anti-aircraft fire and powerful fighter opposition, and pressed home his attack with courageous aggressiveness and utter disregard for his own personal safety. His capable initiative and inspiring leadership contributed to the high state of combat efficiency which enabled his squadron to score at least five direct hits on an enemy aircraft carrier. Lieutenant Commander Shumway's inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital missions and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.
Commander Shumway and eight other officers and enlisted men were killed on Culebra Island when aircraft from the aircraft carrier USS Tarawa (CV-40) accidently bombed an observation tower located near the weapons range.
Shumway was the son of Harold Rouse and Pearl May Wood Shumway. In addition to his mother and sister Mrs. Ruth (Joseph) Dalton, he left his widow, the former Miss Helen Diane Battle and son David.
First Navy Cross Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander DeWitt Wood Shumway, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Acting Commander of Bombing Squadron THREE (VB-3), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 - 6 June 1942. Lieutenant Commander Shumway led his squadron in a vigorous dive-bombing assault against Japanese naval units, in the face of concentrated anti-aircraft fire and powerful fighter opposition, and pressed home his attack with courageous aggressiveness and utter disregard for his own personal safety. His capable initiative and inspiring leadership contributed to the high state of combat efficiency which enabled his squadron to score at least five direct hits on an enemy aircraft carrier. Lieutenant Commander Shumway's inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital missions and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.
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