World War II Database

1.  David Stubblebine says:
18 Jan 2023 12:15:58 PM

This photo was taken on the deck of USS Lexington (Lexington-class). L to R, back row:
Ens Newton H. Mason was killed in action against Japanese forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea, May 1942. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his skill and courage in battle. Destroyer escort USS Mason (DE-529) —the first Navy ship with a predominantly African-American crew— and guided missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG‑87) were named for him.

Lt(jg) Howard F. Clark was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), 20 Feb 1942, when he brought down an enemy bomber attempting to attack USS Lexington. During the Battle of the Coral Sea, May 1942, he again and again engaged enemy aircraft, in utter disregard of his own safety, until his Wildcat was shot down. Lt(jg) Clark was posthumously awarded a second DFC for his heroism during the battle, and destroyer escort USS Howard F. Clark (DE-533) was named for him.

Ens Edward R. Sellstrom was awarded the Navy Cross for his "skillful marksmanship and courage" on 20 Feb 1942, when he intercepted an enemy four-engined bomber, determinedly pursued it through clouds and rain, and assisted in shooting it down despite heavy machine gun and cannon fire; later that day, he intercepted and shot down another aircraft during an attack directed at Lexington by nine enemy bombers. Ens Sellstrom was killed in an airplane crash, 21 Jun 1942, and destroyer escort USS Sellstrom (DE-255) was named for him.

Lt(jg) Willard E. Eder became a Navy ace, with 6.5 confirmed victories, and was awarded the Navy Cross and other decorations. He retired as a Captain in Jul 1965.

Lt(jg) Howard L. Johnson was MIA, 28 Mar 1943.

Lt(jg) John H. Lackey, who was awarded a DFC, was killed on 6 Oct 1945.

Ens Leon W. Haynes was awarded a Navy Cross and other decorations and retired as a LtCdr in Oct 1945.

Lt(jg) Onia B. Stanley, Jr., was awarded at least one DFC and retired as a Captain in Jul 1969.

Ens Dale W. Peterson was awarded the Navy Cross for distinguished service in intercepting enemy bombers attacking Lexington, 20 Feb 1942. He was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, posthumously, for his actions during the Battle of the Coral Sea, May 1942, in which he gave his life. Destroyer escort USS Dale W. Peterson (DE-337) was named for him.

Lt(jg) Marion W. Dufilho was posthumously awarded both the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism and achievement in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, 24 Aug 1942, in which he gave his life. Destroyer escort USS Dufilho (DE-423) was named for him.

Lt(jg) Rolla S. Lemmon was awarded a Navy Cross and was MIA, 24 Jun 1944.

L to R, sitting: Lt(jg) Robert J. Morgan was awarded a Navy Cross and other decorations and retired as a Captain in Jul 1968.

Lt Albert O. Vorse, Jr., became a Navy ace with 11.5 victories. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Air Medal and others. He retired as a Rear Admiral in Jan 1959.

LtCdr Donald A. Lovelace was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross "for heroic conduct in aerial combat, as division leader and pilot, when on 20 February 1942, in enemy waters, he led his division in a vigorous and determined attack, in the face of combined machinegun and cannon fire, against a formation of enemy bombers, and he, with the assistance of his teammate, caused the destruction of one enemy bomber." LtCdr Lovelace was killed in a plane crash shortly before the Battle of Midway, while searching for the Japanese naval force. Destroyer escort USS Lovelace (DE-198) was named for him.

LtCdr John S. "Jimmy" Thach, VF-3 Commanding Officer. He developed the fighter combat technique known as the "Thach Weave," that enabled the US Wildcat fighter to hold its own against the superior Japanese Zero. LtCdr Thach led VF-3 from USS Lexington in early Pacific actions, and from USS Yorktown (CV-5) during the Battle of Midway (Jun 1942). He attained the rank of Admiral and retired in May 1967. John S. Thach was awarded two Navy Crosses, among many other decorations. Guided missile frigate USS Thach (FFG-43) was named for him.

Lt Noel A.M. Gayler was the first person to be awarded three Navy Crosses, and retired as an Admiral in September 1976.

Lt Edward H. "Butch" O'Hare, Medal of Honor recipient: on 20 Feb 1942, he shot down three Japanese bombers and damaged two others. Promoted to LtCdr, he was later commanded Air Group Six aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6). He was reported as MIA in Nov 1943 and declared dead one year later. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he was awarded a Navy Cross and other awards. Destroyer USS O'Hare (DD-889) was named for him.

Ens Richard M. Rowell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for downing a Japanese plane, 20 Feb 1942, and was awarded a second DFC during the Battle of the Coral Sea, May 1942, before failing to return from his last mission. Destroyer escort USS Richard M. Rowell (DE-403) was named for him.

Not pictured: Ens John Woodrow Wilson who was lost 13 days earlier in VF-3’s first combat action north of Bougainville on 20 Feb 1942.