CAPTAIN WILLIAM J. LAHODNEY. For extraordinary heroism as Pilot of a Patrol Plane, attached to Patrol Squadron FIFTY-TWO, in action against Japanese forces seventy miles northeast of Rabaul, on November 26, 1943. Repeatedly attacking an enemy force consisting of a cruiser and three destroyers at extremely close range and in the face of concentrated and accurate heavy antiaircraft fire. Lieutenant Commander (then Lieutenant) Lahodney scored hits with a five-hundred-pound and a one-thousand-pound bomb, causing severe damage to the Japanese cruiser. When his plane was struck by enemy antiaircraft fire which made over one hundred holes in the aircraft, destroyed the radar, severed several hull strength members and the rudder cables and threw the plane out of control, he skillfully regained control of the aircraft and, flying through darkness and stormy weather, over ocean and dangerous mountain terrain for five hours, finally returned safe to base. Lieutenant Commander Lahodney’s expert airmanship, courage, aggressiveness and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Captain Lahodney had been a member of the L.O.V. since 1971.