The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting
The NAVY CROSS to
First Lieutenant Arthur Richard Bancroft, United States Marine Corps
For service as set forth in the following
CITATION

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Arthur Richard Bancroft (0-35520), First Lieutenant, U. S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Pilot of a Helicopter in Marine Observation Squadron SIX (VMO-6) during operations against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 29 September 1950. Receiving information that a friendly observation plane was overdue from its mission and presumed downed behind enemy lines, First Lieutenant Bancroft voluntarily took his unarmed helicopter over enemy-infested territory to search for the missing aircraft. In the face of intense hostile small- arms and anti-aircraft fire, he deliberately flew at a low searching altitude and apparently sighted the downed plane just before hostile fire found its target and sent his helicopter crashing to the ground. By his daring initiative, outstanding courage and selfless devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Bancroft upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Return to Navy Cross