Flown as two-seaters to save weight and fuel for a torpedo strike beyond their normal combat radius, the 15 TBD-1’s of VT-8, commanded by Lt.Cmdr. John Waldron, found the Japanese Carriers at 09.30 hrs. In their now famous attack, Lt. Cmdr. Waldron and his men gallantly threw themselves in to the attack but, operating without the planned assistance of the dive bombers and fighters, all 15 TBD-1 Devastators were quickly shot down by Japanese Zeros and anti aircraft fire. The only man to survive was Ensign George Gay, a TBD pilot, who was pick up by a PBY Catalina some 30 hours later. No torpedo hits had been scored. For this action Ensign George Gay was awarded the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart. |
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