[1] This global conflict split the majority of the world's nations into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis powers.
The United States was drawn into World War II on December 8, 1941, a day after the Axis-member Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Honolulu.
Air Force members recognized for actions prior to 1 July 1948 are listed as Army members",[2] the list here attempts to give the specific detail for members of the Army Air Forces, which existed during World War II.
By partial comparison, as of June 2022[update], the U.S. Department of Defense shows 3,008 awarded to Navy recipients[2] and 1,081 to Marines Corps recipients,[3] for acts of valor during World War II.
The Navy Cross was also occasionally awarded to foreign personnel serving with allied forces - for example, Commander Gordon Bridson and Leading Signalman Campbell Buchanan, both of the Royal New Zealand Navy, whose actions helped sink Japanese submarine Japanese submarine I-1 in World War II.