Jaccard, Richard Alonzo, ENS

            
On September 16, 1942 (because of the dateline, it is also considered Sept 15th) exhausted from the flying schedule, and having just landed aboard the USS Wasp, Ensign Jaccard was in his quarters when the Wasp was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine I-19. He is presumed to have been killed instantly. Given that pilots quarters were on the hull, his quarters were probably just over the blast. He was listed as missing in action and later declared dead.

Service numbers: Enlisted - 4113006   Officer - 099665

Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Battalion: Scouting Squadron 6 (VS-6)
Division: U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 309 (December 1942)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Richard Alonzo Jaccard (NSN: 0-99665), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane of Scouting Squadron SIX (VS-6), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 - 6 June 1942. Participating in a devastating assault against a Japanese invasion fleet, Ensign Jaccard, with fortitude and resolute devotion to duty, pressed home his attacks in the face of a formidable barrage of anti-aircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition. His gallant perseverance and utter disregard for his own personal safety were important contributing factors to the success achieved by our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.