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Show Lieut, (j.g.) Eyerard F. Cox's Commanding Officer Tells of the Group's War Service Although the commanding officer says Air Group No. 12 has "no heroes, no hot-shots," a news release re-lease tells that Lieut, (j.g.) Ever-ard Ever-ard F. Cox of St. George "was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for hi.s hot-shot flying and fighting over Itabual in a Navy dive bomber. Air group 12, has just returned from more than a year's combat duly in the Pacific, Pa-cific, in which Lieut. Cox won frequent recognition. Dive Itomlx! Jitp Armaria On Nov. 5, 1013, his squadron dive bombed an armada of Jap warships as they assembled in Rabaul harbor for an attack on the II. S.' forces landing in Bougainville. The report says: "Jap fighters swarmed to meet Cox's squadron and anti-aircraft fire was heavy. Cox spotted a Zero which was making a run on the dive bomber ahead of him and, with guns blazing, he erased the Jap from the sky, saving his fellow flyers." During this attack the dive bombers scored nine hits on five Jap cruisers, crippling the enemy and preventing their attack on American forces. Lieut. Cox was permitted to tell his own story Friday evening when the citizens saluted him in nn open air program in front of the Dixie college gym. Howard Judd of the St. George Lions conducted con-ducted the program, introducing nlso Lieut. Cox's wife, the former Lela Sullivan; Second Lieut, and Mrs. Enrl Milne; Seaman and Mrs. Alma Mason Barton. Also present were Dr. and Mrs. W. C. Cox, parents of the Navy flier and hi.s grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Hyrum Leany. His grandfather grand-father is past the 90 year mark. "Life on an Aircraft carrier is not so bad," insists Lieut. Cox. The Navy food is good as a man gets at home, and the balanced j diet and plenty of rest keeps the boys fit for duty." He was one of the second group of C. P. T. graduates from the Dixie junior college and has put his name on national records for hi.s participation partici-pation in the present conflict. On Iar-st Carrier He said he was proud that he lclonged to the largest carrier on the seas and explained the process of taking off and landing on the carrier by day or by night, in which the signalman on deck is the flyer's guide. The coral islands are important only as bases and this urges securing them from the Japs for strategic purposes only since they have little value otherwise, he said. He also expressed ex-pressed wonder why England wants India, assuming that they must have reasons he failed to see. Shieing from recounting the experiences for which he has been decorated, Lieut. Cox paid tribute to his rear seat gunner, a little man from the Bronx whom he said was "a great boy to work with." He also explained that he has served under Admiral Nimitz, Admiral Halsey and the British Admiral Mountebatton, and gave some interesting facts regarding the unity of task force operations. The address of welcome was made by E. Eric Snow in behalf of the Mayor and City Commissioners Commissi-oners of St. George. Mrs. Mack Jackson sang the welcome song written for the local boys by Mrs. Lewis Christian to a familiar melody. |