Frederick Edward Bakutis was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, on November 4, 1912, son of Frank and Anna Bakutis. He attended Brookton public schools and after graduation from High School in 1930 was appointed to the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, entering on June 16, 1931. As a Midshipman he was Captain of the Track Team in 1935 and for two years played with the N. A. Ten, dance orchestra. He graduated USNA and commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy on June 6, 1935. Following graduation, he was assigned to the cruiser USS Chester, in which he served as a junior officer, later Division Officer, until January 1, 1938. He then reported to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, where he completed flight training and was designated Naval Aviator on January 10, 1939. Detached in March that year, he reported a month later to Scouting Squadron 3, based on USS Saratoga. In September 1941 he returned to Annapolis for instruction in Aeronautical Engineering at the Naval Postgraduate School, however the outbreak of World War II changed his orders to the Naval Aircraft Factory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he served as Inspector of Arresting Gear and Catapults from March until September 1942.
World War II
In September 1942 he joined Fighting Squadron 16, based on USS Lexington, and had duty for a year as Executive Officer of that squadron of F6F Hellcats. In October 1943 he assumed command of a similar squadron, VF-20, based on USS Enterprise until February 1945. During his time overseas he was credited with downing twelve enemy planes, making him a Navy Ace. He served the remaining months of hostilities in the Navy Department, Washington, D.C., attached to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (VF Military Requirements Desk) and the Bureau of Aeronautics.
During the war he participated in strikes on the Bonis, Yap, Palau, the Philippines, Formosa and Okinawa; was shot down by a Jap destroyer which he was attacking in his F6F. Bakutis was adrift for seven days in a raft in the Sulu Sea; and was picked up by the submarine Hardhead, transferred to USS Angler and then taken to Perth, Australia.
Post World War II
Completing his post-war tour of duty in the Navy Department in June 1947, he was ordered next to USS Tarawa, for duty as Group Commander, Carrier Air Group ONE, and during the period June 1948 to February 1949 he commanded Carrier Air Group FIVE of USS Valley Forge. Four months’ duty as Training Officer on the Staff of Commander Fleet Air, West Coast and Commander Air Force, Pacific, was followed by his assignment to the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, where he was a student for one year and served on the Staff for two years.
Korean War
In June 1952 Bakutis rejoined the USS Valley Forge to serve as that carrier’s Executive Officer. As such he participated in combat in Korean waters and was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of the Second Bronze Star Medal for “meritorious service in Korea from 31 December 1952 to 5 June 1953…” The Combat Distinguishing Device ("V") was authorized for this medal also.
50's and 60s
From June 1953 until June 1955 he again served on the Staff of Commander Air Force, Pacific, as Air Training and Readiness Officer, after which he was assigned to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air) for duty in connection with Aircraft Programs. During 1953 he received a promotion to Captain. In August 1956 he assumed command of USS Gardiners Bay (AVP-39), then served successively in 1957-1959 as a member of the Staff of the Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet, and Commanding Officer of USS Hancock (CVA-19). In December 1960, he was again assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, where he had duty as Assistant Director of the Fleet Operations Division.
On July 20, 1961, he was assigned as Deputy Chief, Joint Alternate Command Element in the organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at Fort Ritchie, Maryland. In March 1962 he became Commander Alaskan Sea Frontier, with additional duty as Commandant of the Seventeenth Naval District, Headquarters in Kodiak, Alaska. On September 1, 1962, he assumed further additional duty as Commander Fleet Air, Alaska/Commander Naval Air Bases, Seventeenth Naval District.
Rear-Admiral Bakutis assumed command of Anti-Submarine War Group ONE at Long Beach, California, on March 28, 1964, where he served until March 29, 1965. In ceremonies at the US Navy Yard Annex, Washington, DC, he assumed command of the US Naval Support Force, Antarctica on April 27, 1965 and in April 1967 he was detached to serve as Commander Fleet Air, Alameda, with headquarters at the Naval Air Station, Alameda, California. In March 1968 he reported as Commander of the Hawaiian Sea Frontier/Commandant of the Fourteenth Naval District, with additional duty as Commander Fleet Air, Hawaii. He would retire in fifteen months.
Promotions:
- 6th June 1935: Ensign
- 6th July 1938: Lieutenant (junior grade)
- 1st November 1941: Lieutenant
- 1st May 1943: Lieutenant Commander
- 1st March 1944: Commander
- 1st March 1954: Captain
- 1st January 1963: Rear Admiral
Highlights:
- 16th June 1931: U.S. Naval Academy
- June 1935 - January 1938: U.S.S. Chester (CA-27)
- 10th January 1939: Naval Aviator
- March 1939 - September 1941: Pilot Fighting Squadron 3 (VF-3), U.S.S. Saratoga (CV-3)
- September 1941 - February 1942: Postgraduate School U.S. Naval Academy
- March - September 1942: inspector Naval Aircraft Factory, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
- September 1942 - September 1943: Executive Officer Fighting Squadron 16 (VF-16), U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16)
- 15th October 1943 - 16th April 1945: Commanding Officer Fighting Squadron 20 (VF-20), U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)
- March 1945 - June 1947: Bureau of Aeronautics
- June 1947 - June 1948: Commanding Officer Carrier Air Group 5 (CVG-5), U.S.S. Tarawa (CV-40)
- June 1948 - February 1949: Commanding Officer Carrier Air Group 1 (CVG-1), U.S.S. Valley Forge (CV-45)
- February 1949 - June 1950: U.S. Naval War College
- June 1950 - June 1952: Staff U.S. Naval War College
- June 1952 - June 1953: Executive Officer U.S.S. Valley Forge (CV-45)
- June 1953 - June 1955: Staff Commander Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet
- June 1955 - July 1956: Staff Chief of Naval Operations
- July 1956 - April 1957: Commanding Officer U.S.S. Gardiners Bay (AVP-39)
- April 1957 - December 1959: Staff Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet
- 29th January - 20th December 1960: Commanding Officer U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)
- January - July 1961: Assistant Director Fleet Operations Office, Chief of Naval Operations
- July 1961 - March 1962: Deputy Chief Joint Alternate Command Element, Joint Chief of Staff
- March 1962 - March 1964: Commander Alaskan Sea Frontier
- March 1964 - March 1965: Commander Naval Coastal Warfare Group 1
- April 1965 - February 1967: Commander Support Force Antarctica
- April 1967 - March 1968: Commander Fleet Air Alameda, NAS Alameda, California
- March - July 1968: Commander Fleet Air Hawaii
- July 1968: Commander Hawaiian Sea Frontier
- 1st July 1969: Retirement.
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Unit: U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6), Fighting Squadron 20 (VF-20)
ORDERS: Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0793 (January 9, 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Frederick Edward Bakutis (NSN: 0-75028), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron TWENTY (VF-20), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action against enemy Japanese forces in Philippine waters during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 24 October 1944. Aggressively leading a small search group on a strike against an enemy task force, Commander Bakutis succeeded in locating the concentration of hostile vessels and immediately reported the location to his base. Then, launching a brilliant attack on the Japanese ships, he fought his plane gallantly in the face of a withering barrage of accurate antiaircraft fire and gunfire from the enemy's main batteries, personally scoring direct hits with his rockets on a battleship and contributing in large measure to the damaging of one cruiser and two other battleships during this fierce action. By his forceful leadership and outstanding tactical ability, Commander Bakutis was in large measure responsible for the neutralization of Japanese surface forces in this strategic area and his unwavering devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Legion of Merit
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Unit: U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6), Fighting Squadron 20 (VF-20)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Commander Frederick Edward Bakutis (NSN: 0-75028), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as pilot of a carrier based fighter aircraft in action against the enemy on 31 August 1944 in the Bonin Islands, on 10 September 1944 in the Palau Islands, on 10 October 1944 in the Nansei Shoto area; on 12 and 13 October 1944 in the Formosa area, and on 15 and 18 October and 14 and 15 December 1944 in the Philippine Islands area. During these days he personally destroyed 11 enemy aircraft on the ground and damaged an additional 11 aircraft on the ground. He also personally destroyed two small vessels and damaged a freighter and medium cargo ship with well directed rocket hits and assisted in the sinking or damaging of seven miscellaneous small enemy vessels. These accomplishments were performed with little regard for his own personal safety. His coolness, skill and courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Bakutis is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Unit: U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Frederick Edward Bakutis (NSN: 0-75028), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemy forces. On 15 October 1944, in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, he led twenty-four planes which were escorting a formation of bombing and torpedo planes. The formation was attacked by fifty enemy fighters but his defense was so skillful and determined that there were no losses. He and the formation continued on their mission which resulted in great damage to enemy installations. Later the same day he led his squadron in the defense of the Task Group which was under attack by enemy aircraft. His inspired leadership of the defense was a large contributing factor to the shooting down of all the attacking planes, and to the fact that none of our surface ships were damaged. On 18 October 1944, he was the leader of a fighter sweep against enemy fighters resulting in fourteen of them being destroyed. He continued his mission and caused severe damage to grounded aircraft and buildings. This mission was completed in the face of continuous heavy anti-aircraft fire and in adverse weather conditions. At all times he led his squadron skillfully and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. His courage, determination, and leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Unit: U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Frederick Edward Bakutis (NSN: 0-75028), United States Navy, for a series of meritorious acts while participating in aerial flight from 10 October to 16 December 1944. Commander Bakutis participated in twenty flights in an active combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective and enemy aircraft patrols usually occur. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.
Bronze Star Medal
“For meritorious service as Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron TWENTY attached to the USS Lexington operating against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific Area. Commissioning his squadron with 45 pilots on October 15, 1943, Lieutenant Commander Bakutis imbued in the personnel under his command his own indomitable spirit of aggressiveness and rapidly developed a fighting team characterized by exceptional air discipline, courage and combat skill. Maintaining a smoothly coordinating organization as the complement more than doubled, he constantly drilled his pilots in fundamentals as well as advanced and changing tactics as existing conditions varied. His inspiring leadership and tireless efforts were determining factors in the splendid record achieved by his squadron…”
Air Medal
“For meritorious achievement in aerial flight as a Pilot and Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron TWENTY, operating from the USS Lexington during action against enemy Japanese forces over Formosa, January 15, 1945. Leading a daring fighting sweep despite extremely adverse weather conditions, (he) sighted a Japanese fighter plane at low altitude and immediately started pursuit. Holding grimly to his target at high speed and through cloud cover, he finally succeeded in shooting the hostile fighter down in flames ten feet above the water as the Japanese pilot was reaching the safety of Formosa…”
Gold Star in lieu of the Second Air Medal; “For meritorious achievement…during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific Area, January 20, 1945. Engaged in combat air patrol over the Task Force, Commander Bakutis was vectored to intercept a hostile snooper and immediately climbed to 23,000 feet to engage the Japanese pilot, pressing home his attack with fierce determination and, with the assistance of his wingman, shooting the enemy down in flames within sight of the Task Force. His intrepid fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
Service Photo
Dress Blue Uniform
Dress Blue Uniform Ribbon Bar
US Naval Academy Midshipman
Do you have items such as papers, photos, uniforms, gear, guns, weapons and other artifacts? Read more and Support Us.
If you have any data and roster info on units and those who served we would be interested in adding it to our digital project-library; please Contact Us
Help us with transcribing data. Unit histories, personnel rosters, award documents. Want to help? Contact Us
Copyright, 2023, Sons Of Liberty Museum, Inc.,
All Rights Reserved