Arthur Ray "Hawk" Hawkins (12 December 1922 – 21 March 2004) was an American naval aviator and flying ace of World War II. He was the United States Navy's tenth leading ace with 14 aerial victories to his credit.
While flying from Cabot in 1944, Hawkins was credited with 14 confirmed and three probable kills, all while flying F6F Hellcats. His first victory was near Truk on 29 April 1944 when, seconds after launch from Cabot, he shot down an attacking Japanese torpedo bomber.[1] He subsequently shot down three enemy aircraft on 19 June during the Battle of the Philippine Sea's "Marianas Turkey Shoot", one on 8 July during the Battle of Guam, five on 13 September near Mindanao in the Philippine Islands, and four on 21 September during the Battle of Luzon in the Philippines.
Hawkins volunteered for a second tour of duty aboard USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) from June 1945 through October 1945, when VF-31 was dissolved. Hawkins' war record included destroying 39 aircraft on the ground and assisting in the sinking of a battleship.[2] He was awarded the Navy Cross three times, the Distinguished Flying Cross three times, and three Air Medals.[3]
When the Korean War broke out in 1950, the Blue Angels were dissolved, with the majority of the pilots forming Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-191), nicknamed "Satan's Kittens". Hawkins served as the squadron's executive officer, flying 40 combat missions from the deck of USS Princeton (CV-37), and participating in the first carrier-based jet bombing mission of the war.
After the Korean War, the Blue Angels were re-formed, and Lieutenant Commander Hawkins was recalled to serve as their flight leader from 1952 through 1953. During this time, he was the first pilot to survive an ejection from a supersonic aircraft.[4][5] He was inverted (upside down) and somewhere between 25,000 feet (7,600 meters) and 32,000 feet (9,800 meters) in altitude at the time he ejected. Since he could not reach the pre-ejection lever due to his inverted position, his canopy did not separate and he ejected through the canopy, possibly becoming the first pilot to do that as well.[6]
Hawkins' daughter, Jill Hawkins Votaw, followed in his footsteps and was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy, graduating in 1980 from the United States Naval Academy as a member of the first class to graduate from the academy that included women. She retired from the Naval Reserve as a captain in 2010.[7][8]
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Arthur Ray Hawkins, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), attached to the USS Cabot (CVL-28), in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, on 13 September 1944. Participating in a pre-dawn take-off to strike against a vastly superior number of hostile aircraft, Lieutenant Hawkins braved heavy anti-aircraft fire from ground installations and, relentlessly pressed home his attacks at perilously low altitudes through intense enemy anti-aircraft fire to shoot down five Japanese air fighters in flames and damaged an additional three airborne enemy planes. By his superb airmanship, aggressive fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty Lieutenant Hawkins contributed substantially to the success of this vital operation, thereby reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Arthur Ray Hawkins, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), attached to the USS Cabot (CVL-28), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, on 21 September 1944. Daring in combat, Lieutenant Hawkins participated in the first fighter sweep against an important enemy-held airfield and by his bold tactics and fighting spirit, he succeeded in shooting down four enemy planes and in damaging a fifth. Relentlessly and determined, he pressed home a perilously low-altitude strafing run through intense anti-aircraft fire to inflict severe damage on an enemy plane parked beside the runway. His great personal valor, resourceful initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Arthur Ray Hawkins, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Division Leader in Fighting Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VF-31), attached to the USS Cabot (CVL-28), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet at Kure Harbor, Japan, on 24 July 1945. Fearlessly braving intense anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Hawkins pressed home a vigorous attack against the enemy battleship Ise to score a direct hit and contribute materially to the final destruction of the hostile vessel. His expert airmanship and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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