page_title: Sherman E. Burroughs (United States Navy)
section_title: Pacific Theater
hierarchical_section_title: Sherman E. Burroughs (United States Navy) / World War II / Pacific Theater
caption_attribution_description: English: Photo #: 80-G-464485 (complete caption) Vice Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., USN (center) With members of his staff, while he was Commander Aircraft, Battle Force, Pacific Fleet, in late 1941, or Commander Task Force 16, in the first months of 1942. Photographed on the bridge of USS Enterprise (CV-6). Those present are (from left to right): Lieutenant Colonel Julian P. Brown, USMC; Lieutenant Horace D. Moulton, USNR; Lieutenant Commander Sherman E. Burroughs, Jr., USN; Commander Miles R. Browning, USN, Chief of Staff; Chief Signalman R. Gardner, USN; Lieutenant Commander Gale E. Griggs, USN; Vice Admiral Halsey; Captain Bankston T. Holcomb, Jr., USMC; Lieutenant Commander Leonard J. Dow, USN; Commander Bertram Groesbeck, Jr., USN(MC); Chief Quartermaster H.G. Gibson, USN; Lieutenant Commander William H. Ashford, Jr., USN; Lieutenant Commander Bromfield B. Nichol, USN; Commander William H. Buracker, USN; Chief Yeoman P.T. Hunt, USN; Chief Yeoman H.C. Carroll, USN; and Yeoman I.N. Bowman, USN. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
context_page_description: Rear Admiral Sherman E. Burroughs, Jr. was a senior officer in the United States Navy, and the first commander of the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake originally known as the Naval Ordnance Test Station.
context_section_description: At the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which brought the United States into the Pacific War, Burroughs was serving on the staff of Vice Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., flying his flag on the USS Enterprise As such, Burroughs participated in the Marshalls-Gilberts raids in February 1942, the raids on Wake Island and Marcus Islands the following month, and the Battle of Midway in June 1942. For his services, he was awarded the Silver Star. He subsequently was awarded a second Silver Star for his services on the staff of Rear Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid's Task Force 16 at the Battle of the Eastern Solomons in August 1942.
  
  Burroughs became commander of Carrier Air Group Three, flying from the carrier USS Saratoga. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. His citation read:
  for heroism and extraordinary achievement as Air Group Commander of SARATOGA Air Group THREE while participating in aerial attacks upon enemy Japanese shore installations and shipping in the Solomon Islands area from 19 February to 8 March 1943. Personally leading six coordinated attacks upon Munda Point, Kahili, Buin Harbor and Ballale Island, Commander Burroughs, by his excellent judgment and cool courage in the face of heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire, contributed greatly to the destruction of numerous anti-aircraft batteries, ammunition and supply dumps and one large cargo transport. During the action against Kahili he further proved his brilliant leadership when, with complete disregard for his own safety, he intentionally exposed himself to hostile anti-aircraft fire while indicating to the pilots who followed him the location and identity of the target area. Despite hazardous opposition from enemy guns and fighter aircraft, Commander Burroughs gallantly led his air group to successful completion of each mission.
caption: Vice Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., with his staff. Burroughs is third from the left.
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