In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Remember them.....

Discussion in 'Veterans Information Center' started by NH mountain man, May 30, 2016.

  1. NH mountain man

    NH mountain man

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    In June of 1942 the largest naval assault force of that time time approached Midway island. The goal was to take Midway, and from there destroy the remaining U.S. naval force at Pearl Harbor this would open up the entire Pacific to Japanese naval superiosity. But the Americans had broken their codes and we knew what was up. Admiral Chester Nimitz stationed the carriers Enterprise and Hornet, along with the following behind Yorktown to be in position to counter the the invasion force. The first wave in was the torpedo squadrons and they were all destroyed at 100% loss of life. But, the high level dive bombers appeared and had no fighters up high to stop them as a result. The greatest naval battle and the turning point of the war resulted from that. So many died for what we take for granted, I remember, few are left who do. That is what Memorial day means. Thank a vet.:usa::usa::salute:
     
  2. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    Amen, brother. God bless all who have died that sacrificed their lives for our beloved country.
     
  3. mike holton

    mike holton

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    actually "torpedo 8" from the Hornet had one survivor an Ensign Gay who witnessed the destruction of 3 Japanese carriers (Kaga, Akagi and Soryu) the Hiryu was sunk in a later strike, along with a heavy cruiser of the Mogami class (I think the Mikuma but not certain)

    its entirely safe to conclude this battle did turn the war. had it ended up badly the war in the pacific could have gone on a great deal longer. at the time of the battle the only carrier left in that theater was Saratoga (sister ship of the Lexington lost at Coral Sea) which was laid up in San Francisco for repairs. the Wasp was actually transferred from the Atlantic to make up the shortfall (she was later sunk by submarine. this was all that was left until the Essex class carriers started to arrive along with the "baby flat tops" or escort carriers many built on Liberty ship hulls.

    also the Yorktown group was commanded by Ray Spruance who took over for Halsey who was hospitalized at the time, it was his first action commanding a carrier group.
     
  4. NH mountain man

    NH mountain man

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    Your right, I remember reading about Ensign Gay. I thank you for your added information on the battle. " AF is short on water" I'm assuming you know what that means. :handshake:
     
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  5. mike holton

    mike holton

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    yep, they had that in the movie actually. FWIW the movie was relatively historically accurate though it did leave out quite a bit (guess due to time constraints. if you look up the battle and find pictures of the cruiser I mentioned you will see the wreckage of an American plane on it, it was shot up badly and actually crashed on one of her aft gun turrets. there is speculation that the pilot may have "kamikazi'd" in after being severely wounded in the plane.

    ive been a voracious student of ww2 history since a very young age. as an adult now I have the net which allows me to dig even deeper into it than I ever could with out it
     
  6. NH mountain man

    NH mountain man

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    I also was a voracious student of WW II history as a kid, it was my hobby. I have the complete set of the U.S. naval history of WW II by Capt. Samuel Elliot Morrison. It is the official war dept. record. I am busy with many varied interests now, but history is still one of my favorites.
     
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