A Short History of Naval Aviation Pilots (Enlisted)

By Mark Freeman
HRNM Ceremonies/Special Events Coordinator

Naval Aviation Pilot insignia (NHHC)

Enlisted naval aviators have played a crucial role in the history of military aviation. Enlisted as non-commissioned officers, these aviators have undergone rigorous training, operated diverse aircraft, and actively participated in major battles.

The roots of enlisted pilots can be traced back to 1916. The first class of enlisted pilots were trained in Pensacola, Florida. Once these men received designation as Navy Air Pilots (Enlisted), many were transferred to the Navy Reserve Flying Corps, awaiting commission and held in an Active status as enlisted pilots until their commissioning. Enlisted men identified as interested in aviation increased during World War I, leading to the establishment of Naval Air Stations (NAS) for pilot training. As the demands of aerial combat escalated, the need for skilled pilots grew exponentially. The United States Navy established the Enlisted Pilot Corps to address this shortage in 1917. Enlisted pilots demonstrated their dedication and competence, proving that naval aviation was not the sole domain of commissioned officers. The first ten enlisted pilots received their wings at NAS Pensacola, Florida (all received a commission). This initial cadre of enlisted pilots primarily operated biplanes like the Curtiss N-9 and the Vought VE-7.

Curtiss N-9 (left) and Vought VE-7 (NHHC)

After World War I ended and many volunteers were demobilized, naval aviation again had issues maintaining qualified aviation personnel. Throughout 1919, Navy leaders discussed creating and maintaining a program specifically for enlisted aviators. All of the enlisted aviators previously qualified and designated between 1916 and 1919 had either been commissioned in the Naval Reserve Air Corps or had rescinded their commissions and were back in the fleet as enlisted personnel.

The first use of the term "Naval Aviation Pilots" (NAP) came from an October 1919 Bureau of Navigation letter, which stated, “In the future, it will be the policy of the Bureau to select a certain number of warrant officers and enlisted men for flight training and duty as pilots of large heavier-than-air craft and directional pilots of dirigibles.” Thus, without approval from Congress, the Navy began the NAP program. Congressional approval did not occur until the mid-1920s.

With the outbreak of World War II, naval aviation underwent a paradigm shift. Ninety-five percent of NAPs received temporary commissions. Since NAPs were trained in so many different types of aircraft, they could backfill undermanned air wings. NAPs found themselves at the forefront of combat operations in the Pacific theater. They were involved in major battles, such as the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Operating aircraft like the Douglas TBD Devastator, NAPs contributed significantly to the victory. Aviation Pilot First Class (AP1) Robert Miles was a member of Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8), which flew from USS Hornet (CV 8) during the battle. With no fighter cover protecting them, they attacked despite superior numbers and enemy weaponry. AP1 Miles was shot down and lost at sea. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. VT-8 had only one survivor from the battle.

VT-8 aboard USS Hornet (CV 8), circa May 1942. Miles is in the front row, far right. (NHHC)

At the end of World War II, the NAP flyers either resigned their commissions and entered the “regular” Navy or left the service. In 1947 the Navy terminated the NAP program with the last of the trained enlisted pilots finishing their training that same year. NAPs would continue to fly through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, with four of the last five retiring on the same day in 1973.

The Enlisted Naval Aviation Pilot program faced its fair share of challenges, particularly during periods of conflict. World War II, in particular, witnessed a surge in demand for naval aviators, leading to an expansion of the program. Enlisted personnel, many of whom had never flown an aircraft before, were thrust into the rigorous training regimen that awaited aspiring naval aviators. The program's challenges were multifaceted. From mastering complex aircraft to navigating the intricacies of naval aviation, NAPs had to overcome skepticism and prove their worth in an environment traditionally dominated by commissioned officers. In an interview, NAP Francis “Red” O’Laughlin said, “Despite all of our accomplishments, officers still didn’t think we could do it.” The push for rapid expansion during wartime added an extra layer of pressure, with an emphasis on efficiency and effectiveness in training.

Despite the challenges, the Enlisted Naval Aviation Pilot program left an indelible mark on naval aviation history. The legacy of the NAPs is one of trailblazing courage and tenacity exemplifying the Navy's commitment to finding and nurturing talent irrespective of rank.

Naval Aviation Pilots (Enlisted) have a storied history, dating back to the early 20th century. From the biplanes of World War I to the cutting-edge jets of the 21st century, NAPs adapted to the changing face of naval aviation. Their involvement in major conflicts and battles consistently demonstrated their skill, versatility, and dedication to the mission at hand. When the Navy terminated the program in 1947, roughly 5,000 enlisted pilots had earned the right to be considered a Silver Eagle (Enlisted Naval Aviation Pilot). In 1981, the final NAP retired, ending a storied era in naval aviation.

ACCM (NAP) Robert K. Jones, the final NAP to retire. (Jetwhine.com)

"We Will Not Disappoint You:" Tom Eversole's Sacrifice at the Battle of Midway

By Laura Orr
HRNM Director of Education

Tom Eversole and his mother, Sarah (Courtesy of the Eversole family)

On April 28, 1942, almost five months after the United States entered the Second World War, U.S. Navy pilot Tom Eversole wrote a letter to his mother, who lived in Pocatello, Idaho. He wrote, “These are difficult times for Mothers everywhere and I am sure that the one message all sons would send their Mothers is ‘Have faith in us. We will do our best, and regardless of the price we may pay, remember that in the ultimate we are striving for those things you spent so many years teaching us. We will not disappoint you.’” Eversole’s actions held true to that sentiment when he gave his life for his country just over a month later. He died fighting in the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942, a clash that became the first major victory for the U.S. Navy in the Pacific War.

This is part of Tom Eversole’s letter to his mother from April 28, 1942. (Courtesy of the Eversole family)

John Thomas Eversole—Tom to his friends and family—graduated from the Naval Academy in 1938. He served in the surface fleet for two years and then trained as a naval aviator, graduating from flight school in Pensacola in February 1941. The Navy assigned Eversole to Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6), which was attached to USS Enterprise (CV 6), an aircraft carrier based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Prior to World War II, pilots did not choose the plane they flew but were randomly assigned to either a fighter, dive bomber, or torpedo bomber upon completion of flight school. Eversole was one of the unlucky ones assigned to the TBD Devastator. These unreliable torpedo planes had a number of troubles, including slow speed and poor maneuverability. Worse yet, the bombers carried the Mark-13 torpedo, a notoriously defective weapon that tended to misfire during prewar ordnance tests. With all of these difficulties, the TBD aviators believed that when a battle happened, they would be unlikely to survive it. Aviation Radioman Third Class Ronald Graetz, a rear seat gunner in VT-6, later recalled, “We knew this was a death squadron. Everybody was satisfied that we were going to lose planes.” Another VT-6 pilot, Ensign Irvin McPherson, recollected, “We had no illusions about those planes of ours. They are good work horses or training planes by modern standards, but their lack of speed and lack of armament made them practically worthless.”

A TBD Devastator drops a torpedo (NHHC)

On the morning of June 4, 1942, three squadrons of torpedo planes—Eversole’s squadron from USS Enterprise and one squadron each from USS Yorktown and USS Hornet—charged into battle. These pilots and rear seat gunners went into the fray knowing it would be their last flight. Lieutenant (junior grade) Jack “Dusty” Kleiss remembered his final goodbye with his good friend Tom Eversole. He wrote, “We shook hands and bid each other ‘good luck.’ It was a gut-wrenching goodbye. I knew this was likely farewell forever. . . . There is nothing quite so dark and terrifying as knowing your friend is about to be killed and being utterly unable to help him.” Without fighter protection, the three TBD squadrons reached the Japanese carrier fleet, dropping low to do what little damage they could. Ensign McPherson of VT-6 recollected, “We were all worried—not scared at this time because we weren’t in the thick of things as yet—but things looked bad. Here we were without protection, alone, and certain to get the full force of the concentrated Jap antiaircraft fire as we approached for the kill."

TBD Devastators attack the Japanese carriers on June 4, 1942 (R.G. Smith, Navy Art)

In the space of just fifty minutes, the three torpedo squadrons lost 37 of 41 planes, 68 of 82 crewmen, and they didn’t score a single hit. With their sacrifice, however, they distracted the Japanese fighter planes so the U.S. Navy’s dive bomber pilots could come in and sink three of the Japanese aircraft carriers in what became known as the famous five minutes of Midway.

Only four TBDs made it back to USS Enterprise. Lieutenant (junior grade) Tom Eversole’s plane was not among them. While no one saw his plane go down, his squadron’s survivors assumed he was shot down by the Japanese. In the aftermath, the Bureau of Naval Personnel declared Eversole missing in action and notified his family. His girlfriend, Betty Ensor, sent a telegram to Eversole’s mother, stating, “Just notified by Navy Washington our darling is missing. You have all my love and sympathy. We must be brave and pray for his return.” Unfortunately, Eversole, like many other World War II aviators lost at sea, would never be found.

Betty Ensor, Tom Eversole’s girlfriend, sent this telegram to his mother after she heard he was missing in action. (Courtesy of the Eversole family)

But Eversole’s sacrifice at Midway would not be forgotten. In early 1943, J.M. Schelling, the Navy’s supervisor of shipbuilding, recommended that a new destroyer escort be named after Eversole. Schelling sent this news to Sarah Eversole, Tom’s mother, and the Navy Department asked her to be the sponsor for this new ship. In December 1942, the Navy commissioned USS Eversole (DE 404), a John C. Butler­-class destroyer escort. On October 28, 1944, at its first major battle, the Japanese submarine I-45 torpedoed USS Eversole near Leyte Gulf. Over fifty crewmembers died when the ship exploded.

This framed photograph of USS Eversole’s commissioning in December 1943 was recently donated to the Hampton Roads Naval Museum from the Eversole family. (photo taken by author)

Recently, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum received artifacts from Tom Eversole’s family, including a framed print from the commissioning ceremony. On the back of this print are the signatures of the crewmembers who survived the ship’s sinking. In the top left corner is the signature of Lieutenant Commander George Marix, USS Eversole’s captain. Over 150 Sailors signed this photograph and gave it to Sarah Eversole, Tom’s mother, as a remembrance of this first ship named after her son. In 1946, the Navy launched a second ship named after him, which served in the Navy until 1973 when it was transferred to the Turkish Navy.

This is the back of the commissioning photograph, with signatures from the survivors of USS Eversole after the ship sank at Leyte Gulf. (photo taken by author)

On this 80th anniversary of the Battle of Midway, we remember the sacrifice of LTJG Tom Eversole and his fellow torpedo pilots. As dive bomber pilot Dusty Kleiss once said, reminiscing about the legacy of the Battle of Midway, “Our torpedo plane crews should get the real honors. They were flying obsolete planes with the world’s worst torpedoes. . . .Only a handful of all three squadrons survived. These torpedo plane crews kept the Japanese ships in disarray and kept all their fighters at sea level.” As we contemplate the 80th anniversary of this crucial turning point in the war in the Pacific, remember the sacrifice made by these young naval aviators to win this victory.

Letter from Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox to Sarah Eversole, confirming Tom’s status as missing in action, July 29, 1942. (Courtesy of the Eversole family)

Douglas MacArthur and Chester Nimitz: Five-Star Leadership, Part 2

By Lee Duckworth
HRNM Volunteer

Part 1 of this blog is available here.

Personalities

The greatest difference between Douglas MacArthur and Chester Nimitz was in their personality. MacArthur was renowned for being egotistical and seeing himself as invincible and infallible. Nimitz was the antithesis: humble and unemotional.

MacArthur felt he was living out his destiny in his meteoric rise to five-star general. He rarely cracked a smile and seldom used profanity. Nimitz, on the other hand, loved to tell stories and jokes. He enjoyed mingling with the troops and had many friends, both junior and senior.

General MacArthur and his chief of staff on Corregidor, Philippines, 1942
(Wikimedia Commons)

MacArthur was domineering, enigmatic, decisive, highly principled, and outspoken. But he was also egocentric, arrogant, had a love for theatrics, and had few friends. MacArthur was an outstanding strategist and superb at seeing the big picture of the war in the Pacific. He worked long hours and expected his staff to do the same: they needed to be completely loyal and energetic. He “wrapped himself in a cloak of dignified aloofness” and “no one was permitted to forget he was both warrior and aristocrat.”[1] He seemed to live by the concept that “rules are mostly made to be broken.” He was a farsighted administrator but flamboyant and had great moral courage that inspired confidence.

Admiral Nimitz pins the Navy Cross on Doris Miller, 1942
(Naval History and Heritage Command)

Conversely, Nimitz was a more reserved leader, had a will of steel, was humble and a team-builder. He too was a superb strategist and tactician. Nimitz was unflappable and calm and had a great sense of humor, which helped alleviate tension. He led by common sense and example yet avoided the press and publicity. He demonstrated an astonishing coolness under pressure and was known for his quiet manner. Nimitz was hardworking, eager to take charge, rule-abiding and conscientious, and was the consummate organizer. He was superb at the art of delegation, freeing himself from the minute details of his job.

Summary

What can we glean from the background of these five-stars? Admiral Nimitz and General MacArthur were highly intelligent, great strategists, and had loyal followers. As historian D. Clayton James relates, the two men “had much in common. Both had highly trained command minds that cut through underbrush to reach the core of projects and problems. Both had that extraordinary quality of leadership that inspires loyalty; both were endowed with the champion’s will to win. But here the similarity ceases. The admiral seldom rode the emotional pendulum; joy and sorrow would set the general off on lusty zooms or steep dives.”[2] Both were groomed and excelled in their own way. They were both very aware of the political influence they wielded, though MacArthur took more advantage of that influence. Yet, their approach to the vast and seemingly overwhelming responsibilities demonstrates their uniqueness and individuality. MacArthur’s style was "A leadership that kept you at a respectful distance, yet at the same time took you as an esteemed member of his team, and very quickly had you working harder than you had ever worked before in your life, just because of the loyalty, admiration and respect in which he held you."[3]

MacArthur and Nimitz reported to their respective service chiefs on the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) during World War II (MacArthur to General George C. Marshall and Nimitz to Admiral Ernest J. King). Fortunately, the two service chiefs had leadership and personality styles opposite of their corresponding Pacific leaders. King was a notorious workaholic who was driven, outspoken, and extremely demanding. Marshall was the opposite: mellow, calm, and very forward-thinking. King understood Nimitz’s style of leadership and though he pushed hard, he held great respect for Nimitz. Marshall was the perfect foil for MacArthur and knew how to keep him under control. He would wait, sometimes for days, before responding to MacArthur’s messages and demands, completely ignoring them on occasion. Marshall was supportive of MacArthur but never pushed around by him. The two JCS chiefs were perfect matches for MacArthur and Nimitz and supported them extremely well. Had their personalities been exchanged, there may have been bigger battles on the Washington front that there were in the Pacific.

Douglas MacArthur and his staff returning to the Philippines in 1944 
(Wikimedia Commons)

Two of the major actions of WWII in the Pacific highlight their differences: MacArthur’s return to the Philippines and Nimitz at the Battle of Midway. MacArthur’s speech on his return was broadcast all over the Philippines and began: “People of the Philippines, I have returned! By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil…Rally to me!”[4] MacArthur had used the phrase “I shall return” as his clarion for nearly three years and went so far as to have thousands of packets of matchbooks printed and distributed with those words on the cover.

Nimitz, some 30 months earlier (May 1942), flew to Midway a month prior to the battle and inspected the preparations being made to defend the island against the impending Japanese assault. In response to the commander of the ground force’s list of items needed to fight against the Japanese, he asked: “If I get you all these things you say you need, then can you hold Midway?” To the reply of “Yes Sir,” Nimitz smiled and began to look relaxed. “In his usual quiet way he thoroughly alerted the defenders of the atoll and at the same time instilled confidence in them.”[5]

Nimitz explains his recommended strategy at a July 1944 conference with MacArthur, President Roosevelt, and Admiral Leahy. (Wikimedia Commons)

Perhaps most telling is President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s comments during the July, 1944 Pearl Harbor meeting to discuss the Formosa/Philippines strategy. FDR told aides that each man was intelligent, insightful, and gentlemanly. They were consummate professionals, both very respectful of each other and committed to working together.

Nimitz and MacArthur stayed the course, and in their unique styles, triumphed in the war years. It is clear that they were the right men, in the right place, at a most critical time to lead the allies to victory in the Pacific in the Second World War.

[1] James, Vol II, 77, 81
[2] James, Vol II, 398-399

[3] Kinni, 163

[4]  James, Vol II, 558

[5] Potter, 78


Recommended Reading

Borneman, Walter R. The Admirals: Nimitz, Halsey, Leahy, and King: The Five-star Admirals who won the War at Sea. Little, Brown and Co., New York, NY, 2012.

Borneman, Walter R. MacArthur at War: World War II in the Pacific. Little, Brown & Co, New York, NY, 2016.

Hoyt, Edwin P. How They Won the War in the Pacific: Nimitz and His Admirals. Lyons Press, Guilford, CT, 1970.

James, D. Clayton. The Years of MacArthur 1880-1941, Volume I; The Years of MacArthur 1941-1945, Volume II. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA, 1970 and 1975.

Kinni, Theodore and Donna. No Substitute for Victory: Lessons in Strategy and Leadership from Douglas MacArthur. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2005.

Manchester, William. American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880-1964. Little, Brown & Co., Boston, MA, 1978.

Potter, E. B. Nimitz. Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD, 1976.

Spector, Ronald H. At War at Sea: Sailors and Naval Combat in the Twentieth Century. Penguin & Putnam, New York, NY, 2001.

Stavridis, Admiral James. Sailing True North; Ten Admirals and the Voyage of Character. Penguin Press, New York, NY, 2019.

Toll, Ian W. Twilight of the Gods: War in the Western Pacific, 1944-1945. W. W. Norton & Co, New York, NY, 2020.

Navy Video and Board Game Night: A (Retro)spective

Participants play "Top Gun" and "Super Battleship"

Over one hundred guests attended last week's "You Sank My Battleship: Navy Video and Board Game Night" event.  It was the first of two After Hours History programs sponsored by the Hampton Roads Naval Historical Foundation this year.  Unlike previous After Hours events, last Wednesday's game night was the first advertised as "family friendly."  Video game enthusiasts would say it was rated "E" for everyone.  Soda and popcorn replaced the standard assortment of wine and cheese on a night many will not soon forget.

Playing "1942: Joint Strike"

Video games.  Board Games.  Snacks.  Soda.  Where does the U.S. Navy fit in?

Whether we realized it or not, the U.S. Navy was there all along, hidden underneath the blinking lights and sounds of the games we know and love today.  Video games like "Silent Service" and board games like "Axis and Allies" included subtle hints and references to real event in American naval history.  Part of the event included a seven panel exhibit on the history of the U.S. Navy and video games.  We will post the panels shown during the event on this blog soon.

Who would have thought we were learning about key concepts of naval history and naval combat while mashing our thumbs and fingers on plastic controllers.  How to use sonar ("Silent Service").  Plotting enemy ship movements ("Battleship").  How to lead a target while in aerial combat ("Carrier Aces"). How to land on an aircraft carrier ("Top Gun").  The SNES role-playing game "Pacific Theater of Operations" bordered on real historic simulation.  Could you turn the tide and defeat the Japanese Navy at Pearl Harbor?  Even at the juvenile level, the principles were there.  For many young participants in last week's event, the games provided were their first taste of the Navy.

Mayo proudly shows off his contest-winning prize

Guests played a variety of video and board games from yesterday and today.  Titles from the 8-Bit  generation up to today's next-gen consoles ("Battlestations: Midway") were available to play.  Everybody from staff and volunteers to parents cheered on participants as they battled their way through the sky and seas of the digital Atlantic and Pacific.  The most popular game, however, was a retro-classic: "1942."  Nearly every guest ventured to the AEGIS Theater to try their hand at the high score contest for one of the most celebrated and best-selling franchises in video game history.  A special shout out goes to Mark Prinz and Mayo for achieving high scores on "1942."

HRNM Educators helped create several "Navy-centric" modifications of classic board games for the event.  "Human Battleship," a life-size recreation of the pencil and paper game where kids act as the ships on a 100-square foot game board, was a popular destination.  Staff members and volunteers also played "Civil War Blockade Strategy," a creative spin on the popular "Stratego" series of board games.

"1942" Perler Bead Craft Activity 

The most popular portion of the evening was for the 1942 perler bead craft activity.  Kids used perler beads to create gaming icons, or "sprites" from the popular NES/Arcade game.  A basic understanding of graphs and plotting were required to create a perfect product.  There is always a way to mix a little bit of learning with fun!

It was a treat to see parents watching their children play the same video games they used to play when they were kids.  In fact, one of the most interesting aspects of the event was the generation gap.  Many of the younger participants had a rude awakening when they realized that their controllers were not motion-controlled.  Technology is a great equalizer at times, and this event helped bridge the gap between previous generations to the present one.  

We hope everybody that attended had a wonderful time.  Special thanks go out to all the staff and volunteers who helped make this event possible.  For more information on our current 2013 programs, contact Lee Duckworth, Director of Education, at (757) 322-2992.  

June 19th Video Games Revealed!

And here they are!  These games will be available for you to play the night of June 19^th for the next After Hours History event, "You Sunk My Battleship:" Navy Video and Board Games Night. 

High Score Contest – Nintendo Wii

1942 

(Capcom, 1984)

The highlight of the evening will be the High Score Contest for the classic Capcom game, 1942. Launched as an arcade platform in 1984, 1942 put the video game developer on the map.  It was one of the first three games released by the company in the 1980s.  All three games (Ghosts 'NGoblins, 1942, and Commando) sold over 1 million copies.  1942 remains one of the most successful vertical scrolling shooters, following the footsteps of Galaga, Galaxian, and Xevious.  It was ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986, making it the largest success in the 19XX series.  Guests will play the Virtual Console edition of the game made available on the Nintendo Wii in 2010.  Get ready to mash those buttons!

8 Bit Generation – Nintendo Entertainment System:

Top Gun 

(Konami, 1987)

Get ready to take your video game skills to the danger zone in this 1987 classic based off the blockbuster film.  Top Gun became one of the most successful (and first) flight simulator games for the Nintendo Entertainment System.  It also included one of the most iconic and difficult maneuvers in video game history: landing on an aircraft carrier.  If you make it to the second level, you can deal with the second most difficult maneuver in video game history: refueling your plane.  Top Gun sparked a long series of marketable sequels up to the present day.  

Silent Service 

(Microprose, 1989)

Before Sid Meier created the worldwide phenomenon Civilization, he created Silent Service.  It was one of the first two games developed by his company, MicroProse, in the early 1980s.  Silent Service first saw action in the mid-1980s on 8-bit computer systems.  With the help of Ultra, the submarine simulator ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System at the end of the decade.  By then, the realistic simulator made Meier a smashing success and beloved video game icon to this day.  

16 Bit Generation - Super Nintendo Entertainment System:

 Carrier Aces

(Cybersoft, 1995)

Unfortunately, there is not much to say about this Japanese import.  When the 16-bit generation emerged in the early nineties, most flight simulators focused on land-based tactics (think Desert Storm).  Although several games exist that tread the fine line of the U.S. Navy in video games, Carrier Aces delivers.  Guests will be able to play by themselves or with a friend in a series of 5 training missions.  Have you ever wanted to see if you can make a torpedo run like the heroes at Midway?  Play this game on the 19th and find out!     

Super Battleship

(Mindscape Software, 1993)

We couldn't have a video game event without its namesake, Battleship.  So much has happened for the game since it started as a simple pencil and paper activity in the early twentieth century.  Since then, it developed into a video and board game empire capped off by a 2012 Summer blockbuster film.  Unlike other versions, Super Battleship also offers a campaign mode that mixes hex-style tabletop strategy and arcade-style shooters.  Although this version is available in single player only, attending guests will enjoy helping teammates out as they attempt to sink the enemy's fleet before theirs.  Fight for your chance to say, "You Sunk My Battleship!"    

Seventh Generation , X BOX 360:

Battlestations: Midway 

(Eidos Interactive, 2007)

Winner of the "Sweet 16" bracket contest we held a few weeks back, Battlestations: Midway was a huge success when it hit the shelves in 2007.  Praised for its graphics and game play, the game received favorable reviews across the board.  IGN, arguably the toughest of game critics, scored the game an 8.5 out of 10.  Their verdict says it all: "While so many action games are devoid of strategy and so many strategy games are short on action, Battlestations: Midway delivers both."  Guests will be playing the X BOX 360 version. 

1942: Joint Strike 

(Capcom, 2008)

For those of you who play the 1942 High Score contest and want a little more taste of the game, 1942: Joint Strike is just the thing.  Released in 2008 as a remake to the classic game 1942, Joint Strike offers super graphics and controls for the next generation gamer.  It includes different elements of the 19XX series, such as the health meter from 1943: The Battle of Midway, and a level rank system from 19XX: The War Against Destiny.  Since its release, it has sold over 119,000 copies.  Guests will play the version of the game made available in the Capcom Digital Collection.

Don't Forget!  Reservations are required for this event.  Reserve your spot by calling (757) 322-3108 or go on our Facebook Events Page. 

Midway Naval Aviator in Hampton Roads

I had the honor to spend the past weekend interviewing Captain N. Jack "Dusty" Kleiss, a veteran of the Battle of Midway and recipient of the Navy Cross for his actions in that battle. At age 96 (and a half, as he always tells people), Kleiss is filled with stories of his time in the Navy. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1938 and was stationed in Norfolk for a couple years before being sent to the West Coast prior to the start of World War II. Post-war, the Navy sent him again to Norfolk, this time to COMAIRLANT (now COMNAVAIRLANT), or Commander Air Forces Atlantic Fleet. Below is a photograph of the staff of COMAIRLANT in 1955 that Kleiss shared. 

The staff of COMAIRLANT, Naval Air Station Norfolk, in 1955.

Kleiss is in the front row, fifth man from the right (the one with the cocky smile on his face!). At the time of this photograph, Kleiss held the rank of commander. He would retire from the Navy in 1962 as a captain. Over the next few months, I'll be sharing some more of the stories I've learned from Kleiss during our interviews.  Read about his experiences at the Battle of Midway here.

Captain Jack Kleiss in his retirement photo, March 31, 1962.

Battle of Midway-70 Years Later

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. One third of the aviation squadrons and all three aircraft carriers that fought at the battle had very close connections to Hampton Roads. In the latest issue of The Daybook, one can read about the local connections to the battle, why the battle is so important to remember, and read about the battle as remembered by the fight's last surviving Dauntless dive bomber pilot. Click here to download the issue (in PDF).



A Dauntless dive bomber from the Norfolk-based Scouting Squadron Eight (VS-8) lands on USS Hornet (CV-8) during the Battle of Midway.


USS Hornet at Naval Station Norfolk shortly before being shipped out to the Pacific, 1942.

USS Hornet (CV-8) at Newport News, 1941

This a photograph of Aircraft Carrier Number 8, Hornet, at Newport News Shipbuilding shortly after her launch in late 1941.  Hornet was the last of the three aircraft carriers built by Newport News under the National Industrial Recovery Act authorization.  Enterprise and Yorktown were the first two.   At the time this photograph was taken, the shipyard's 17,500 man force was working on several other ships, including the battleship Indiana (BB-58), the aircraft carrier Essex (CV-9), and the light cruisers Mobile (CL-62) and Birmingham (CL-63). 

Life magazine published this photo of Hornet returning to
Newport News after builders' trials.

A lone Newport News worker paints landing guides on Hornet's flight deck.

Torpedo Squadron Eight at NAS Norfolk

This is a February 1942 photo of ground crew sailors pushing back plane number 7 of the famed Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8) at NAS Norfolk. Commissioned on September 2, 1941, VT-8 operated with the Norfolk-based USS Hornet (CV-8) before both units sailed for the Pacific in March 1942. Along with Torpedo Squadron 5 (VT-5), VT-8 was one of two torpedo bomber squadron based out of Norfolk at the beginning of the war.

VT-8 is probably the most well-known Naval air squadron in U.S. Naval history for its role in the Battle of Midway. The squadron made its first attack against Japanese aircraft carriers on June 4, 1942, with no fighter escort. Flying older TBD Devastator torpedo bombers, the entire squadron, except for Ensign George Gay, was shot down by faster Japanese fighters. Though none of VT-8's planes did any damage, the attack is considered to be one of the most heroic feats in World War II as the squadron's pilots pressed home the attack, despite being outgunned by Japanese forces.

Plane Number 11 of VT-8 after a rough landing at NAS Norfolk, 1941

When Hornet left Hampton Roads for the Pacific, it only took half of VT-8's planes, pilots, and crews with them. The other half stayed behind in preparation to receive newer TBF Avenger torpedo bombers.

The squadron was a brand new outfit with a young group of pilots. VT-8's commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander John Waldron, had over twenty years of flying, but the rest of the squadron was fresh out of flight school. In the words of George Gay, "Torpedo 8 had a difficult problem; we had old planes and we were new in the organization. We had a dual job of not only training a squadron of boot [inexperienced] Ensigns, of which I was one of course, we also had to fight the war at the same time, and when we finally got up to the Battle of Midway it was the first time I had ever carried a torpedo on an aircraft." An excerpt of Gay's recollections of the attack and his career can be found at our command's website.

In Life magazine's profile of VT-8, the reporter wrote that Waldron trained his men hard with eight hours a day of flight and combat practice. But he stilled treated his pilots as if they were his own sons. "If things went bad, he and his lively brunette wife Adeline would throw a binge. If [his pilots] had to get into Norfolk, they could use the Skipper's Lincoln Zephyr," the reporter observed.

On more than one occasion, Waldron had to meet with Hampton Roads farmers who complained that VT-8 pilots were buzzing their farms too low. Among the farmers' petty complaints: the buzzing was making the dairy cows' milk turn sour.

Launch Day-USS Yorktown (CV-5), 1937

This is an April 4, 1937 Associated Press photo of the aircraft carrier Yorktown sliding down the launch way of Newport News Shipbuilding and into the James River. The photo appeared in the April 6, 1937 edition of the New York Times. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt started the process by smashing a bottle of champagne against Newport News Shipbuilding's Hull Number Number 359 and christening the ship.

Reporters challenged Roosevelt to explain if there was a contradiction in celebrating the launching of a warship, while at the same time speaking out against the worldwide march toward war. She replied, "Our country cannot limit weapons by itself. I hope the nations will agree to arms limitations. But until then, we must build our navy to treaty strength in order not to be defenseless against attack."

Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt with Homer Ferguson, President of Newport News Shipbuilding

Once Newport News finished Yorktown, the carrier was homeported at
Naval Operating Base Norfolk.

VF-42 Wildcat Aboard USS Yorktown, 1941

As we approach the anniversaries of the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway, it is important to note the numerous Hampton Roads connections to both battles. We will start with this picture of Ensign Arthur J. Brassfield overseeing the maintenance of an F4F-3A Wildcat fighter aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5) on November 14, 1941. The carrier was conducting neturality patrols in the North Atlantic at the time of this picture.

The fighter and men belong to the NAS Norfolk-based fighter squadron VF-42. Yorktown was built at Newport News Shipbuilding in the 1930s and then homeported at Naval Operating Base Norfolk until her departure on December 16, 1941. "Art" Brassfield served both as a Wildcat pilot and as the squadron's engineering officer. During the Battle of the Coral Sea, Brassfield shot down one Type 99 dive bomber, an A6M "Zero," and four Type 99s during the Battle of Midway.

More local connections to these battles will come in future posts.