Captain John Paul Adams
World War Two - Air Wars

Born February 20, 1919 in Horton, Kansas, he spent 32 years in the Navy. He earned his wings and commission in June 1941. He reported to Fighter Squadron 42 in the fall of 1941. While embarked in USS Yorktown (CV-5), he participated in the initial air actions of World War II in the Pacific, including the Battle of Coral Sea and Midway. Captain Adams was credited with shooting down three Japanese planes. 

After the Battle of the Midway, he returned to the States and spent two years as a VF instructor. He then returned to combat in VF-88, flying from the second Yorktown. Captain Adams' combat decorations include: Navy Cross w/Gold Star; Silver Star; Distinguished Flying Cross; Presidential Unit Citation w/Star; Air Medal w/Gold Star. 

...One of them John Adams, had no sooner become airborne, rolled up his wheels, charged his guns and banked to port when a torpedo bomber crossed his sights. The Japanese torpedo bombers always seemed to attack in pairs. Adams shot down the plane in his sights and hit the wing man too, but not before the 'long lance' was dropped. Both Japanese planes as well as the pursuing Adams were racing against a torrent of destroyer fire. But even with the two Nakajima's out of the action, the destroyer continued to fire at Adams! He survived but was livid with anger for a long time afterward and almost came to blows with the destroyer's gunnery officer whom he later encountered ashore in Pearl...

His was the last plane to fly off USS Yorktown CV-5 during the Battle of Midway while under attack. He shot down a Japanese torpedo plane, but the CV-5 sunk, so he landed on USS Enterprise CV-6. He was the CO of VF-41.

Navy Cross
Awarded for actions during World War II  
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Ensign John Paul Adams (NSN: 0-98683), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THREE (VF-3), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. Ensign Adams was launched to defend the ship against an imminent attack by Japanese Torpedo Planes. The situation had already become so critical that he made his take-off from the carrier deck amidst the blasts of the ship's five-inch guns, which were directing their fire at the incoming enemy planes. With marked coolness and indomitable courage, Ensign Adams, immediately upon becoming airborne, pressed home attacks against two of the enemy planes, shooting down one in flames and damaging the other. His aggressive attacks on the enemy planes were skillfully executed despite the intense anti-aircraft fire from our ships. His courage, determination and utter disregard for personal safety were in keeping with the best traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander In Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 19 (July 20, 1942) & Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 318 (September 1943)
Action Date: 4-Jun-42
Service: Navy
Rank: Ensign
Company: Fighting Squadron 3 (VF-3)
Division: U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)

Navy Cross, second award
Awarded for actions during World War II  
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign John Paul Adams (NSN: 0-98683), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THREE (VF-3), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against the Japanese on 4 and 8 May 1942. On 4 May, in company with three other fighter planes forming the escort group for our own Torpedo Planes in an attack on Tulagi Harbor, Ensign Adams made a strafing attack on an enemy gunboat and destroyer, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire and caused serious damage to both enemy vessels. On 8 May, as a member of the fighter escort group protecting our own Torpedo Planes making an attack on an enemy carrier in the Coral Sea, he engaged enemy planes attempting to intercept our attack group and thus assisted materially in the success of our attack which resulted in the sinking or severe damaging of the enemy carrier. On his return to our own force, he encountered and destroyed an enemy Torpedo Plane. Throughout these engagements, Ensign Adams showed courage and aggressiveness without regard for personal safety. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander In Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 14 P15(1) (June 28, 1942)
Action Date: May 4 & 8, 1942
Service: Navy
Rank: Ensign
Company: Fighting Squadron 3 (VF-3)
Division: U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)

Silver Star
Awarded for actions during World War II  
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant John Paul Adams (NSN: 0-98683), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 28 July 1945. In the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Adams led a highly successful attack against an enemy light cruiser in the vicinity of the Island of Honshu, Japan, scoring a direct hit which caused considerable damage. His courage and leadership were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01817 (September 15, 1945)
Action Date: 28-Jul-45
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Navy Air Squadron

Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded for actions during World War II  
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign John Paul Adams (NSN: 0-98683), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism while participating in aerial flight, while serving as Pilot of an airplane during the attacks upon Japanese installations in the Marshall and Gilbert Islands on 31 January 1942. While piloting a fighter plane from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), he assisted in the destruction of an enemy four-engine patrol bomber seaplane which was attempting to attack that ship.
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 304 (July 1942)
Action Date: January 31 & February 1, 1942
Service: Naval Reserve  
Rank: Ensign