The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Cecil John Doyle (0-9424), Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-121), Marine Air Group FOURTEEN (MAG-14), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomons Islands AREA from 18 to 25 October 1942. Pressing home his attacks against the enemy with skill and determination, Second Lieutenant Doyle shot down five Japanese aircraft during this period, thereby contributing materially to the security of our forces in that area. His cool courage and indomitable fighting spirit were an inspiration to the members of his squadron and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Board Serial: 1675 (July 28, 1943)
Born: August 10, 1920 at Marshall, Minnesota
Home Town: Marshall, Minnesota
19 December 1942 Western Union Telegram (Original in Teresa Doyle's Scrapbook)
OWEN DOYLE
LYND ST MARSHALL MINN
REGRET TO INFORM YOU YOUR SON SECOND LIEUTENANT CECIL J DOYLE REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SINCE NOVEMBER 7 LETTER FOLLOWS
T HOLCOMB LIEUTENANT GENERAL USMC
THE COMMANDANT US MARINE CORPS.
1944, April 14 Letter THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON

Mrs. Owen P. Doyle
c/o R. L. Wright
The Diamond Match Company
Fairfield, California

My dear Mrs. Doyle:

It gives me great pleasure to designate you as the sponsor to christen the Destroyer Escort Vessel U.S.S. CECIL J. DOYLE (DE-368), named in honor of your son, the late Second Lieutenant Cecil John Doyle, U. S. Marine Corps Reserve.

This vessel is scheduled to be launched at the plant of the Consolidated Steel Corporation, Ltd., Shipbuilding Division, Orange, Texas, 1 July 1944. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, U. S. N., at that time will arrange with you all details connected with the launching. He will also advise you should there be any change in the launching date.

Prospective sponsors are advised that the Department has no funds out of which to defray the transportation expenses to and from the place of launching.

Because of war restrictions, it is requested that any information concerning the launching date be regarded as confidential.

Will you please advise the Department at your earliest convenience whether you will be able to christen this vessel when she is launched.

Sincerely yours,
Frank Knox
USS Cecil J. Doyle (DE-368) was a United States Navy John C. Butler-class destroyer escort. She was named for USMC aviator Lt. Cecil J. Doyle, posthumous recipient of the Navy Cross for heroism during 18 October to 25, 1942 in the Solomon Islands campaign.[1]

Cecil J. Doyle was launched on 1 July 1944 at Consolidated Steel Corporation, in Orange, Texas, sponsored by Mrs. O. P. Doyle; and commissioned on 16 October 1944, with Lieutenant Commander D. S. Crocker, USNR, in command.