CAPTAIN (then Lieutenant) LOUIS LEE BANGS, for extraordinary heroism as a Pilot of a Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron TEN, attached to the U.S.S. Enterprise, in action against enemy Japanese forces west of the Marianas Islands, during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, June 20, 1944. Participating in a daring strike against the main Japanese Fleet, Lieutenant Commander Bangs selected an enemy aircraft carrier as his target and, skillfully maneuvering his plane to evade fierce enemy fighter opposition, he executed an accurate dive-bombing attack on the enemy vessel and scored a direct hit, thereby severely damaging the hostile ship. By his brilliant airmanship, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant Commander Bangs contributed materially to the success of our operations in this historic engagement, and his great personal valor in the face of grave peril was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Captain Bangs resided in Southern California.