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Show Pilot Awarded Navy Gold Star Lieutenant (J.G.) Marvin E. Noble of Smithfield, is one of the . two navy pilots from the 12th naval district, who have been decorated for their accomplishments accom-plishments while flying with air group two, one of naval aviation's most outstanding units. Lieutenant Noble has been awarded the gold star in lieu of a second air medal for his accomplishments ac-complishments as a member of fighting squadron two, known as the "Rippers", which has des-troyed des-troyed more than 225 Japanese aircraft in aerial combat. The award covered the aviator's avia-tor's accomplishments between June 1 and 23, 1944. During that period the group bombed and straffed the Marianas., and Bonins in connection with the initial landings at Saipan, and participated partici-pated in the successful assault on the Japanese fleet June 19. In the 13 days beginning June 10, the air group destroyed 177 enemy planes in the air at the cost of four Hellcat fighters; probably sunk three enemy ships, including a 30,000 ton carrier; damaged 18 other ships, including includ-ing a second carrier, a heavy cruiser and two destroyers; and inflicted great damage by bombing bomb-ing and straffing ground installations instal-lations from Guam to Chichi Jlma, less than 600 miles south of the Japanese mainland. " Lieutenant Noble was high scoring pilot during these operations, opera-tions, shooting down several planes and scoring several prob-ahles. prob-ahles. a |