CAPT William C Raposa

For extraordinary heroism as Pilot of a Torpedo Bomber in Torpedo Squadron NINETY FOUR, attached to the U.S.S. Lexington, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Kure Harbor, Honshu, Japan, on July 24, 1945. Participating in a coordinated attack against major units of the Japanese Fleet in their heavily defended anchorage, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, (then Ensign) Raposa aggresively pressed home his attack on a heavy cruiser and, despite intense antiaircraft fire from harbor positions and hostile shipping in the area, scored hits to leave the vessel listing and down by the stern. His courage and determination in the completion of his mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

View captain Raposa’s Gold Star.

Capt. Raposa died on March 7, 2015 in Springfield, VA.

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