June 1942 (5)
Continued from Monday’s post ____
At approximately 1030 hours, the Japanese ships were located by the US aircraft and found to have aircraft, munitions and fuel on their decks. Ensign George Gay would be the sole survivor of those planes. He watched as his squadron leader, Lt. John C. Waldron, being true to his part Sioux Indian instinct rather than his briefing, did in fact locate the enemy (despite their change in direction). Gay related, “He went straight for the Japanese fleet as if he had a string tied to them.” Waldron was last seen attempting to bail out of his flaming plane.
Chunks were being torn from Gay’s aircraft as he dove and released his torpedo. Gay said, “I could see the Japanese captain jumping up and down and raising hell, I could see the deck full of gas hoses and planes.” That was just before he pancaked into the ocean and only inflated his life raft after the Akagi turned north. Gay was picked up the following day. (Newspaper article on Gay in a forthcoming post that further describes his 24 hours in the ocean.)
Turning north saved Nagumo from 35 dive bombers that had come off the Hornet and were unable to locate the ship. But Lt. Clarence McClusky and his 37 Dauntless pilots from the Enterprise did. They went into a 70-degree dive and locked onto the Akagi, Soryu and the Kaga. The six minute attack had paralyzed that part of the enemy’s naval defense.
The Soryu was nearly getting her fires under control when the US submarine Nautilus put 2 torpedoes in her and she sank at 1900 hours. The Akagi was abandoned and torpedoed by one of her own destroyers. The Hiryu, 2 battleships, 3 cruisers and a dozen destroyers remained to continue on the fight.
As the Japanese Strike Force sought revenge, the USS Yorktown was bombed, ground crews on Midway fought off air attacks and opposing aircraft met in the skies. The IJN Hiryu limped away like a floating torch, but she would later be discovered for a second strike.
Admiral Yamaguchi and Captain Kaku gave their men a farewell speech before ordering the men to abandon ship. They proceeded to sing the traditional Kimigayo anthem, drank the ceremonial cups of water and then went below deck to commit seppuku. The ship was located the following morning with 70 men still on board; after they were taken off, the ship was destroyed.
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Frances “Fritz” Bitters – Menomonee Falls, WI, US Army, WWII
Michael Davis – San Antonio, TX; US Army, West Point ’51, Col. (ret.), Korea, Bronze Star & Vietnam, 165th Aviation Group
George Deason – Toronto, CAN; RC Air Force, Cpl., WWII
Edward Farnsworth – Idaho Falls, ID; US Army, Korea, Bronze Star
Colin Gray – Christchurch, NZ; RNZ Air Force, WWII, Spitfire pilot, top ace, No. 43rd & 54th Sq.
Robert Horey – Addison, NY & FL; US Army, WWII, Lt. Col. (Ret.), Korea, Vietnam, artillery corps
William LaGrange – Little Rock, AR; US Air Force (Ret. 21 years)
Ron Marshall – Hastings, NZ; RNZ Air Force # 75239
Angelo Mindolo – Secaucus, NJ; US Navy & US Air Force
Dominic “Rich” Noreikis – Jupiter, FL; US Army, SSgt T-3
Alfred Williams – Crofton, MD; US Army (Ret. 30 years), 1st Air Cavalry
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SHOUT OUT – to the Arkansas veterans – I’m waiting to hear from you!
Posted on March 5, 2015, in WWII and tagged Airborne, aviation, History, Marines, Midway, Military, Navy, submarines, USA, veterans, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 64 Comments.
Great to keep the momentum going on this great battle, You can virtually feel the adrenaline running, look forward to the story of Gray’s 24 hours afloat.
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You’re too kind, Ian. I don’t think I quite deserve all the fine compliments you give me. [but I’ll take them, anyway – ]
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I just have to say that after reading this post – I was moved and I was thinking about a comment – even though I know we do not always have to leave one – but I wanted to today – anyhow, then I read Ian’s comment and it was exactly what I was thinking…. so I say ditto ! 🙂
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I appreciate you stopping in to comment and no one knows about not having the time to comment on sites – it’s me! Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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de nada – and I think the good news is that we do not have to always leave comments – a nice thing about blogging…
and I am looking forward to reading the other posts for the “June 1942”
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I feel so privileged that I am Abel to read the stories and experience a little of what the men and women did to pay the price for me. Being in the service is a whole different world than the one civilian folks live in. I so appreciate the men and women who fight for my freedom.
Peace Tom
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That is a wonderful sentiment. Thank you for remembering the troops!
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Maybe I’m just a wierdo but the cartoon with the hostess shoud have been ” Well they do have a don’t ask don’t tell policy”. I was tired and thought the lady was a cross dressing co-pilot.. 🙂
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Okay, Ed…another cup of coffee this morning?
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A battle – and the war – is decided by chance…and so is bravery. Being scared _hitless yet you do manage to do your job.
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Most of them did – that’s why we are here today. Thanks for being here, Koji.
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I can always count on an interesting post on your blog !!!
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Thank you, Chris. As you know you have had a hand helping me with the humor section – so this blog is partly yours!!
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I like that feature, of course– I think it adds a nice balance to your posts. 🙂
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That’s exactly what I thought. There is only so much war a person can read, besides – I’m not a gloom and doom person either. I’ve appreciated all your help!
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It’s my honor and pleasure.
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Silver-tongued-devil!
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Thanks for my dose of daily history.
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You are more than welcome, Jacqui.
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Found it interesting that the Sioux Indian instincts led them to the location of the Japanese ships. Sometimes our gut feeling or intuition surpasses technology. Another great and interesting post.’
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That gut instinct seems to work well in stress areas, I agree. Thanks for coming, Bev.
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“They proceeded to sing the traditional Kimigayo anthem, drank the ceremonial cups of water and then went below deck to commit seppuku.” Totally beyond my comprehension, GP.
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These rituals were incomprehensible to most. That was part of the problem in fighting the Japanese, was understanding the culture. Thanks for reading today, Curt!
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When things really get bad, I run off to the woods. That I understand. –Curt
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Indeed, on the surface, yes… But not all officers were “as dedicated”. 🙂
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True, so true!
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I would have been one of the ‘not so dedicated,’ Koji.
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Mind if I leave a Midway story here as well? 🙂 https://airwarworldwar2.wordpress.com/2014/06/04/b-26s-at-midway/
Another great post from you!
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You always have a great post. In fact, I have a number of their addresses down for future re-blogs and links.
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Thank you! Glad to hear (or read) that you enjoy them so much
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Yessiree – you can tell Pierre does too.
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Definitely!
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Ah, Page 2 🙂 Great post, Everett. They were really heroes and will look forward to the future report you mentioned. Although I have heard of the movie never went to see it. Sounds like I didn’t miss much.
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Don’t bother. There were no love stories going on during this, that’s for sure!
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No,and won’t watch it. Hollywood has ruined many stories. On a side note found a house this week to rent and moving Mid-April to Oshkosh, WI!
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Congrats! Different surroundings might bring added inspiration for your designs. You’ll be right near Lake Winnebago and Fox River! Best of luck!!
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Thanks, Everett. Your right it might. Heard the air show is something to see also.
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Air shows are always fun!
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Great. Only one I have seen is the blue angels in Chicago years ago. They sure were impressive!
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Thank you lieber Freund Grüße und Umarmung Gislinde
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Always my pleasure to see you, Gislinde.
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As always, another great post! Thank you. Saluting those who gave their lives at this great battle.
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Oh, it is my pleasure. My goal is to help others to remember them. Thanks for visiting this morning, Texas.
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Reblogged this on A Conservative Christian Man.
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Thank you Paul for caring.
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Another really impressive blog post. I bought the movie about a year ago, but I wish I hadn’t. I couldn’t really recommend it, despite its cast.
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I’m afraid, the movie was nothing to brag about. If you check out Pierre’s comment, you’ll understand what I mean.
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Great post, GP. If you have time, I’d like to invite you to visit my recent post. I think you will like it. 🙂
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Will do!
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Those men had more than guts. Just flying the aircraft was amazing but multitasking the guns, diving, avoiding and praying you would not be hit by ammo from the ship and the constant what is above me and below me is only for the few.
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And yet, they always say – I was just doing my job!! Every area I research amazes me. Thank you for stopping in, Barry.
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True heroes do the job.
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You got it, Barry!!
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Even if I know that part of history I always learn new facts.
I told John Le May about your blog GP.
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I know what you mean! You and other bloggers are always teaching me, that’s why I’m so happy when someone says I taught THEM something!! I appreciate you telling John LeMay.
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Such a nice 91 year-old young man.
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To learn more about the Hiryu…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_aircraft_carrier_Hiry%C5%AB
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Thank you, Pierre. The links add to the story. When I put in the eye witness stories, the whole event comes together.
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I hope people will remember your posts about Midway and not the movie Hollywood made out of it…
The old “Hey, let’s put a little love story in there to make it a little more realistic…” script like they did with Red Tails!
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Hollywood just wants to sell movies and the hell with reality – you know that. The problem is, people tend to believe the movies over the facts.
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I’m with you both, the movie Pearl Harbor was a bust too. I did like the movie Fury but I had a few problems with that one too. Saving Private Ryan was the best in the last 20 years..:-)
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We all seem to be of like minds… great minds think alike, eh?
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Pleased to learn a bit more about this famous battle.
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I know I cut Monday’s post short, but you’ll be surprised how much more information will be supplied by the up-coming eye-witness accounts over the official reports here. Thank you for reading here, Ann – and SO early!
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