First Lieutenant ROBERT E. WELLWOOD, a member of the Marine Corps when his Navy Cross was awarded for extraordinary heroism as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Night Fighting Squadron Five Hundred Thiry-three in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 18 May 1945. While flying night air combat patrol, First Lieutenant Wellwood made ground-controlled interceptions of two hostile bombers and, daringly pressing home his attack in the face of return fire, successfully shot down both of the Japanese planes. Vectored on a third enemy bomber through a barrage of antiaircraft fire which damaged his engine and silenced his radio transmitter, he regained contact with the enemy by the use of radar and, despite strong opposition, skillfully maneuvered his aircraft to destroy his third plane in a period of two hours. His expert airmanship and gallant devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant wellwood and the United States Naval Service.

Mr. Wellwood joined the Legion of Valor in 1963 and resided in Wyoming.