Bernerd or Bernie as he was known was the son of Ernest F. Phelps and Clara Emma Pfister who married about 1917. They were the parents of at least six children; Carrie Evelyn, Idella Marie, Ernest F. Jr., Virginia Irene (murdered on 17 Dec 1960) and Mary Catherine Phelps. Bernard had completed one year of college prior to his enlisting in the US Navy.
After obtaining his father's permission to enlist in the service, Bernerd P Phelps enlisted in the US Navy (NSN:337-27-89) on 5 Mar 1940 in St Louis, MO as an Apprentice Seaman (A.S.). He reported to the US Naval Training Station (NTS) Great Lakes, IL for recruit training where he was enumerated in the US Federal Census of 01 April 1940. After completing basic training, AS Phelps reported to the Naval Air Station (NAS), San Diego for duty on 28 Jun 1940. He was advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (2/c) on 5 July 1940. On 25 Oct 1940, Phelps was detached from NAS, San Diego and transferred to the Light Cruiser USS Raleigh (CL-7). The same day he reported on board the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5) as a passenger enroute to the Raleigh in Pearl Harbor, HI. During 1941 Phelps was advanced in rate to Seaman First Class (1/c) and then to Radioman Third Class (RM3). On 2 Dec 1941, RM3 Phelps was transferred from the USS Raleigh Aviation Unit to NAS Norfolk for duty with Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8). On 3 Dec he was a passenger on board the transport ship USS Henderson enroute San Francisco arriving there on 11 Dec 1941. Continuing across the country, Phelps arrived at his next duty assignment with VT-8 at NAS, Norfolk, VA about a week later. VT-8 was assigned to the newly commissioned aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8)
Hornet departed Norfolk, VA for the Pacific in early March 1942 after months of intensive workups in the Atlantic and Caribbean areas. Shortly after arriving in the Pacific via the Panama Canal, Hornet played a major role in the successful attack on Japan by Col Doolittle's B-25 force on 18 April 1942. Shortly after returning from the Doolittle raid, Hornet, along with the USS Enterprise (CV-6), was ordered to support the USS Lexington (CV-2) and USS Yorktown (CV-5) during the battle of the Coral Sea in early May 1942. However, the battle was over before they reached the area. Hornet returned to Pearl Harbor on 26 May and was ordered to prepare to support impending combat operations near Midway. Late in May 1942, a large Japanese carrier force left Japan headed for the Midway Atoll. The Hornet, along with carriers Yorktown and Enterprise moved to intercept that force.
Early in the morning of 4 Jun 1942 Hornet launched her air group of 59 planes to attack the Japanese carriers. VT-8, separated from the rest of the Air Group, found the enemy carriers and commenced their attack. And attack they did! Headlong into the maelstrom without fighter protection the 15 planes of VT-8 pressed their attack through an onslaught of enemy fighter and anti-aircraft fire. One by one the torpedo planes were sent hurtling into the sea. All 15 aircraft were shot down with the loss of 29 of the 30 aircrew. Ens Abercrombie and his radioman/gunner, ARM2 Bernard P. Phelps did not return. Their remains were unrecoverable. According to the Hornet’s Midway-Battle-After-Action-Report dated 13 Jun 1942, they were listed as "missing in action." On 5 Jun 1943 they were officially listed as presumed killed in action. In that same report Rear Admiral (Select) Mitscher, Hornet CO, nominated each member of VT-8 who flew into battle on 4 Jun 1942 for the Congressional Medal of Honor.
.
Petty Officer Phelps was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze battle star, the Presidential Unit Citation and the World War II Victory Medal.
----------------------------------------------------
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Aviation Radioman Bernerd Phillip Phelps, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight as radioman and free machine gunner of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), during an attack against enemy Japanese forces in the "Air Battle of Midway," on 4 June 1942. Grimly aware of the hazardous consequences of flying without fighter protection, and with insufficient fuel to return to his carrier, Aviation Radioman Second Class Phelps resolutely, and with no thought of his own life, pressed home his attack with utter disregard for his own personal safety and in the face of tremendous anti-aircraft barrage and overwhelming fighter opposition. His gallant spirit of self-sacrifice and his conscientious devotion to the fulfillment of a vastly important mission contributed materially to the success of our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
-------------------------------------------------------
The Presidential Unit Citation for Torpedo Squadron Eight reads:
For extremely heroic and courageous performance in combat during the Air Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942. Flying low without fighter support, Torpedo Squadron EIGHT began the perilous mission, Intercept and attack! First to sight the enemy, the squadron attacked with full striking power against crushing enemy opposition, scoring torpedo hits on Japanese forces. Realizing to a man that insufficient fuel would prevent a return to the carrier, the pilots held doggedly to the target, dropping torpedoes at point-blank range in the face of blasting antiaircraft fire that sent the planes one by one, hurtling aflame in the sea. The loss of 29 lives, typifying valor, loyalty, and determination, was the price paid for Torpedo Squadron EIGHTs vital contribution to the eventual success of our forces in this epic battle of the air.
-----------------------------------------------------
His family also received a scroll from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in commemoration of Petty Officer Phelps. The citation reads: In grateful memory of Bernerd Philip Phelps, who died in the service of his country, SEA, Pacific Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. HORNET, 5 JUNE 1943 (Presumed)*. He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States
(*Presumed dead on 5 Jun 1943. Actual date gone missing was 4 Jun 1942.)
----------------------------------------------------------
Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) note:
[None of the flight crews in the Battle of Midway were awarded the Combat Action Ribbon (CR). See Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual (SECNAVINST 1650.1H of Aug 22, 2006, Chapter 2, Section 3, p2-34). It reads in part, “The CR will not be awarded to personnel for Aerial Combat, . . . “]
---------------------------------------------------------
Virginia was the daughter of Ernest F. and Clara Emma (Pfister) Phelps. She married Leslie Eades on 15 July 1946 in Lovington, IL. They were the parents of five daughters, Teresa, Clara, Bernie, Leslie and Andres. They were divorced. Early in the morning of 17 Dec 1960 after she returned home from her job as a waitress, Virginia was killed in her yard by several blasts from a shotgun at close range. The person arrested was an old boyfriend, John David (Jack) Shaw, 39, the son of a well-known Decatur family. Shaw was convicted of first degree murder on 21 Mar 1961 and sentenced to life in prison. He appealed the conviction. The State Appellate court affirmed the life sentence in Nov 1965. She was survived by her father, Ernest F Phelps and her mother, Clara Emma (Pfister) Howell, three sisters and a brother. One brother, Bernerd Philip Phelps, was killed during the battle of Midway in June 1942.
----------------------------------------------------
[Bio compiled by G47]
After obtaining his father's permission to enlist in the service, Bernerd P Phelps enlisted in the US Navy (NSN:337-27-89) on 5 Mar 1940 in St Louis, MO as an Apprentice Seaman (A.S.). He reported to the US Naval Training Station (NTS) Great Lakes, IL for recruit training where he was enumerated in the US Federal Census of 01 April 1940. After completing basic training, AS Phelps reported to the Naval Air Station (NAS), San Diego for duty on 28 Jun 1940. He was advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (2/c) on 5 July 1940. On 25 Oct 1940, Phelps was detached from NAS, San Diego and transferred to the Light Cruiser USS Raleigh (CL-7). The same day he reported on board the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5) as a passenger enroute to the Raleigh in Pearl Harbor, HI. During 1941 Phelps was advanced in rate to Seaman First Class (1/c) and then to Radioman Third Class (RM3). On 2 Dec 1941, RM3 Phelps was transferred from the USS Raleigh Aviation Unit to NAS Norfolk for duty with Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8). On 3 Dec he was a passenger on board the transport ship USS Henderson enroute San Francisco arriving there on 11 Dec 1941. Continuing across the country, Phelps arrived at his next duty assignment with VT-8 at NAS, Norfolk, VA about a week later. VT-8 was assigned to the newly commissioned aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8)
Hornet departed Norfolk, VA for the Pacific in early March 1942 after months of intensive workups in the Atlantic and Caribbean areas. Shortly after arriving in the Pacific via the Panama Canal, Hornet played a major role in the successful attack on Japan by Col Doolittle's B-25 force on 18 April 1942. Shortly after returning from the Doolittle raid, Hornet, along with the USS Enterprise (CV-6), was ordered to support the USS Lexington (CV-2) and USS Yorktown (CV-5) during the battle of the Coral Sea in early May 1942. However, the battle was over before they reached the area. Hornet returned to Pearl Harbor on 26 May and was ordered to prepare to support impending combat operations near Midway. Late in May 1942, a large Japanese carrier force left Japan headed for the Midway Atoll. The Hornet, along with carriers Yorktown and Enterprise moved to intercept that force.
Early in the morning of 4 Jun 1942 Hornet launched her air group of 59 planes to attack the Japanese carriers. VT-8, separated from the rest of the Air Group, found the enemy carriers and commenced their attack. And attack they did! Headlong into the maelstrom without fighter protection the 15 planes of VT-8 pressed their attack through an onslaught of enemy fighter and anti-aircraft fire. One by one the torpedo planes were sent hurtling into the sea. All 15 aircraft were shot down with the loss of 29 of the 30 aircrew. Ens Abercrombie and his radioman/gunner, ARM2 Bernard P. Phelps did not return. Their remains were unrecoverable. According to the Hornet’s Midway-Battle-After-Action-Report dated 13 Jun 1942, they were listed as "missing in action." On 5 Jun 1943 they were officially listed as presumed killed in action. In that same report Rear Admiral (Select) Mitscher, Hornet CO, nominated each member of VT-8 who flew into battle on 4 Jun 1942 for the Congressional Medal of Honor.
.
Petty Officer Phelps was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze battle star, the Presidential Unit Citation and the World War II Victory Medal.
----------------------------------------------------
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Aviation Radioman Bernerd Phillip Phelps, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight as radioman and free machine gunner of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), during an attack against enemy Japanese forces in the "Air Battle of Midway," on 4 June 1942. Grimly aware of the hazardous consequences of flying without fighter protection, and with insufficient fuel to return to his carrier, Aviation Radioman Second Class Phelps resolutely, and with no thought of his own life, pressed home his attack with utter disregard for his own personal safety and in the face of tremendous anti-aircraft barrage and overwhelming fighter opposition. His gallant spirit of self-sacrifice and his conscientious devotion to the fulfillment of a vastly important mission contributed materially to the success of our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
-------------------------------------------------------
The Presidential Unit Citation for Torpedo Squadron Eight reads:
For extremely heroic and courageous performance in combat during the Air Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942. Flying low without fighter support, Torpedo Squadron EIGHT began the perilous mission, Intercept and attack! First to sight the enemy, the squadron attacked with full striking power against crushing enemy opposition, scoring torpedo hits on Japanese forces. Realizing to a man that insufficient fuel would prevent a return to the carrier, the pilots held doggedly to the target, dropping torpedoes at point-blank range in the face of blasting antiaircraft fire that sent the planes one by one, hurtling aflame in the sea. The loss of 29 lives, typifying valor, loyalty, and determination, was the price paid for Torpedo Squadron EIGHTs vital contribution to the eventual success of our forces in this epic battle of the air.
-----------------------------------------------------
His family also received a scroll from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in commemoration of Petty Officer Phelps. The citation reads: In grateful memory of Bernerd Philip Phelps, who died in the service of his country, SEA, Pacific Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. HORNET, 5 JUNE 1943 (Presumed)*. He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States
(*Presumed dead on 5 Jun 1943. Actual date gone missing was 4 Jun 1942.)
----------------------------------------------------------
Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) note:
[None of the flight crews in the Battle of Midway were awarded the Combat Action Ribbon (CR). See Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual (SECNAVINST 1650.1H of Aug 22, 2006, Chapter 2, Section 3, p2-34). It reads in part, “The CR will not be awarded to personnel for Aerial Combat, . . . “]
---------------------------------------------------------
Virginia was the daughter of Ernest F. and Clara Emma (Pfister) Phelps. She married Leslie Eades on 15 July 1946 in Lovington, IL. They were the parents of five daughters, Teresa, Clara, Bernie, Leslie and Andres. They were divorced. Early in the morning of 17 Dec 1960 after she returned home from her job as a waitress, Virginia was killed in her yard by several blasts from a shotgun at close range. The person arrested was an old boyfriend, John David (Jack) Shaw, 39, the son of a well-known Decatur family. Shaw was convicted of first degree murder on 21 Mar 1961 and sentenced to life in prison. He appealed the conviction. The State Appellate court affirmed the life sentence in Nov 1965. She was survived by her father, Ernest F Phelps and her mother, Clara Emma (Pfister) Howell, three sisters and a brother. One brother, Bernerd Philip Phelps, was killed during the battle of Midway in June 1942.
----------------------------------------------------
[Bio compiled by G47]
Bernerd or Bernie as he was known was the son of Ernest F. Phelps and Clara Emma Pfister who married about 1917. They were the parents of at least six children; Carrie Evelyn, Idella Marie, Ernest F. Jr., Virginia Irene (murdered on 17 Dec 1960) and Mary Catherine Phelps. Bernard had completed one year of college prior to his enlisting in the US Navy.
After obtaining his father's permission to enlist in the service, Bernerd P Phelps enlisted in the US Navy (NSN:337-27-89) on 5 Mar 1940 in St Louis, MO as an Apprentice Seaman (A.S.). He reported to the US Naval Training Station (NTS) Great Lakes, IL for recruit training where he was enumerated in the US Federal Census of 01 April 1940. After completing basic training, AS Phelps reported to the Naval Air Station (NAS), San Diego for duty on 28 Jun 1940. He was advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (2/c) on 5 July 1940. On 25 Oct 1940, Phelps was detached from NAS, San Diego and transferred to the Light Cruiser USS Raleigh (CL-7). The same day he reported on board the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5) as a passenger enroute to the Raleigh in Pearl Harbor, HI. During 1941 Phelps was advanced in rate to Seaman First Class (1/c) and then to Radioman Third Class (RM3). On 2 Dec 1941, RM3 Phelps was transferred from the USS Raleigh Aviation Unit to NAS Norfolk for duty with Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8). On 3 Dec he was a passenger on board the transport ship USS Henderson enroute San Francisco arriving there on 11 Dec 1941. Continuing across the country, Phelps arrived at his next duty assignment with VT-8 at NAS, Norfolk, VA about a week later. VT-8 was assigned to the newly commissioned aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8)
Hornet departed Norfolk, VA for the Pacific in early March 1942 after months of intensive workups in the Atlantic and Caribbean areas. Shortly after arriving in the Pacific via the Panama Canal, Hornet played a major role in the successful attack on Japan by Col Doolittle's B-25 force on 18 April 1942. Shortly after returning from the Doolittle raid, Hornet, along with the USS Enterprise (CV-6), was ordered to support the USS Lexington (CV-2) and USS Yorktown (CV-5) during the battle of the Coral Sea in early May 1942. However, the battle was over before they reached the area. Hornet returned to Pearl Harbor on 26 May and was ordered to prepare to support impending combat operations near Midway. Late in May 1942, a large Japanese carrier force left Japan headed for the Midway Atoll. The Hornet, along with carriers Yorktown and Enterprise moved to intercept that force.
Early in the morning of 4 Jun 1942 Hornet launched her air group of 59 planes to attack the Japanese carriers. VT-8, separated from the rest of the Air Group, found the enemy carriers and commenced their attack. And attack they did! Headlong into the maelstrom without fighter protection the 15 planes of VT-8 pressed their attack through an onslaught of enemy fighter and anti-aircraft fire. One by one the torpedo planes were sent hurtling into the sea. All 15 aircraft were shot down with the loss of 29 of the 30 aircrew. Ens Abercrombie and his radioman/gunner, ARM2 Bernard P. Phelps did not return. Their remains were unrecoverable. According to the Hornet’s Midway-Battle-After-Action-Report dated 13 Jun 1942, they were listed as "missing in action." On 5 Jun 1943 they were officially listed as presumed killed in action. In that same report Rear Admiral (Select) Mitscher, Hornet CO, nominated each member of VT-8 who flew into battle on 4 Jun 1942 for the Congressional Medal of Honor.
.
Petty Officer Phelps was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze battle star, the Presidential Unit Citation and the World War II Victory Medal.
----------------------------------------------------
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Aviation Radioman Bernerd Phillip Phelps, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight as radioman and free machine gunner of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), during an attack against enemy Japanese forces in the "Air Battle of Midway," on 4 June 1942. Grimly aware of the hazardous consequences of flying without fighter protection, and with insufficient fuel to return to his carrier, Aviation Radioman Second Class Phelps resolutely, and with no thought of his own life, pressed home his attack with utter disregard for his own personal safety and in the face of tremendous anti-aircraft barrage and overwhelming fighter opposition. His gallant spirit of self-sacrifice and his conscientious devotion to the fulfillment of a vastly important mission contributed materially to the success of our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
-------------------------------------------------------
The Presidential Unit Citation for Torpedo Squadron Eight reads:
For extremely heroic and courageous performance in combat during the Air Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942. Flying low without fighter support, Torpedo Squadron EIGHT began the perilous mission, Intercept and attack! First to sight the enemy, the squadron attacked with full striking power against crushing enemy opposition, scoring torpedo hits on Japanese forces. Realizing to a man that insufficient fuel would prevent a return to the carrier, the pilots held doggedly to the target, dropping torpedoes at point-blank range in the face of blasting antiaircraft fire that sent the planes one by one, hurtling aflame in the sea. The loss of 29 lives, typifying valor, loyalty, and determination, was the price paid for Torpedo Squadron EIGHTs vital contribution to the eventual success of our forces in this epic battle of the air.
-----------------------------------------------------
His family also received a scroll from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in commemoration of Petty Officer Phelps. The citation reads: In grateful memory of Bernerd Philip Phelps, who died in the service of his country, SEA, Pacific Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. HORNET, 5 JUNE 1943 (Presumed)*. He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States
(*Presumed dead on 5 Jun 1943. Actual date gone missing was 4 Jun 1942.)
----------------------------------------------------------
Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) note:
[None of the flight crews in the Battle of Midway were awarded the Combat Action Ribbon (CR). See Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual (SECNAVINST 1650.1H of Aug 22, 2006, Chapter 2, Section 3, p2-34). It reads in part, “The CR will not be awarded to personnel for Aerial Combat, . . . “]
---------------------------------------------------------
Virginia was the daughter of Ernest F. and Clara Emma (Pfister) Phelps. She married Leslie Eades on 15 July 1946 in Lovington, IL. They were the parents of five daughters, Teresa, Clara, Bernie, Leslie and Andres. They were divorced. Early in the morning of 17 Dec 1960 after she returned home from her job as a waitress, Virginia was killed in her yard by several blasts from a shotgun at close range. The person arrested was an old boyfriend, John David (Jack) Shaw, 39, the son of a well-known Decatur family. Shaw was convicted of first degree murder on 21 Mar 1961 and sentenced to life in prison. He appealed the conviction. The State Appellate court affirmed the life sentence in Nov 1965. She was survived by her father, Ernest F Phelps and her mother, Clara Emma (Pfister) Howell, three sisters and a brother. One brother, Bernerd Philip Phelps, was killed during the battle of Midway in June 1942.
----------------------------------------------------
[Bio compiled by G47]
After obtaining his father's permission to enlist in the service, Bernerd P Phelps enlisted in the US Navy (NSN:337-27-89) on 5 Mar 1940 in St Louis, MO as an Apprentice Seaman (A.S.). He reported to the US Naval Training Station (NTS) Great Lakes, IL for recruit training where he was enumerated in the US Federal Census of 01 April 1940. After completing basic training, AS Phelps reported to the Naval Air Station (NAS), San Diego for duty on 28 Jun 1940. He was advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (2/c) on 5 July 1940. On 25 Oct 1940, Phelps was detached from NAS, San Diego and transferred to the Light Cruiser USS Raleigh (CL-7). The same day he reported on board the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5) as a passenger enroute to the Raleigh in Pearl Harbor, HI. During 1941 Phelps was advanced in rate to Seaman First Class (1/c) and then to Radioman Third Class (RM3). On 2 Dec 1941, RM3 Phelps was transferred from the USS Raleigh Aviation Unit to NAS Norfolk for duty with Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8). On 3 Dec he was a passenger on board the transport ship USS Henderson enroute San Francisco arriving there on 11 Dec 1941. Continuing across the country, Phelps arrived at his next duty assignment with VT-8 at NAS, Norfolk, VA about a week later. VT-8 was assigned to the newly commissioned aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8)
Hornet departed Norfolk, VA for the Pacific in early March 1942 after months of intensive workups in the Atlantic and Caribbean areas. Shortly after arriving in the Pacific via the Panama Canal, Hornet played a major role in the successful attack on Japan by Col Doolittle's B-25 force on 18 April 1942. Shortly after returning from the Doolittle raid, Hornet, along with the USS Enterprise (CV-6), was ordered to support the USS Lexington (CV-2) and USS Yorktown (CV-5) during the battle of the Coral Sea in early May 1942. However, the battle was over before they reached the area. Hornet returned to Pearl Harbor on 26 May and was ordered to prepare to support impending combat operations near Midway. Late in May 1942, a large Japanese carrier force left Japan headed for the Midway Atoll. The Hornet, along with carriers Yorktown and Enterprise moved to intercept that force.
Early in the morning of 4 Jun 1942 Hornet launched her air group of 59 planes to attack the Japanese carriers. VT-8, separated from the rest of the Air Group, found the enemy carriers and commenced their attack. And attack they did! Headlong into the maelstrom without fighter protection the 15 planes of VT-8 pressed their attack through an onslaught of enemy fighter and anti-aircraft fire. One by one the torpedo planes were sent hurtling into the sea. All 15 aircraft were shot down with the loss of 29 of the 30 aircrew. Ens Abercrombie and his radioman/gunner, ARM2 Bernard P. Phelps did not return. Their remains were unrecoverable. According to the Hornet’s Midway-Battle-After-Action-Report dated 13 Jun 1942, they were listed as "missing in action." On 5 Jun 1943 they were officially listed as presumed killed in action. In that same report Rear Admiral (Select) Mitscher, Hornet CO, nominated each member of VT-8 who flew into battle on 4 Jun 1942 for the Congressional Medal of Honor.
.
Petty Officer Phelps was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze battle star, the Presidential Unit Citation and the World War II Victory Medal.
----------------------------------------------------
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Aviation Radioman Bernerd Phillip Phelps, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight as radioman and free machine gunner of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), during an attack against enemy Japanese forces in the "Air Battle of Midway," on 4 June 1942. Grimly aware of the hazardous consequences of flying without fighter protection, and with insufficient fuel to return to his carrier, Aviation Radioman Second Class Phelps resolutely, and with no thought of his own life, pressed home his attack with utter disregard for his own personal safety and in the face of tremendous anti-aircraft barrage and overwhelming fighter opposition. His gallant spirit of self-sacrifice and his conscientious devotion to the fulfillment of a vastly important mission contributed materially to the success of our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
-------------------------------------------------------
The Presidential Unit Citation for Torpedo Squadron Eight reads:
For extremely heroic and courageous performance in combat during the Air Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942. Flying low without fighter support, Torpedo Squadron EIGHT began the perilous mission, Intercept and attack! First to sight the enemy, the squadron attacked with full striking power against crushing enemy opposition, scoring torpedo hits on Japanese forces. Realizing to a man that insufficient fuel would prevent a return to the carrier, the pilots held doggedly to the target, dropping torpedoes at point-blank range in the face of blasting antiaircraft fire that sent the planes one by one, hurtling aflame in the sea. The loss of 29 lives, typifying valor, loyalty, and determination, was the price paid for Torpedo Squadron EIGHTs vital contribution to the eventual success of our forces in this epic battle of the air.
-----------------------------------------------------
His family also received a scroll from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in commemoration of Petty Officer Phelps. The citation reads: In grateful memory of Bernerd Philip Phelps, who died in the service of his country, SEA, Pacific Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. HORNET, 5 JUNE 1943 (Presumed)*. He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States
(*Presumed dead on 5 Jun 1943. Actual date gone missing was 4 Jun 1942.)
----------------------------------------------------------
Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) note:
[None of the flight crews in the Battle of Midway were awarded the Combat Action Ribbon (CR). See Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual (SECNAVINST 1650.1H of Aug 22, 2006, Chapter 2, Section 3, p2-34). It reads in part, “The CR will not be awarded to personnel for Aerial Combat, . . . “]
---------------------------------------------------------
Virginia was the daughter of Ernest F. and Clara Emma (Pfister) Phelps. She married Leslie Eades on 15 July 1946 in Lovington, IL. They were the parents of five daughters, Teresa, Clara, Bernie, Leslie and Andres. They were divorced. Early in the morning of 17 Dec 1960 after she returned home from her job as a waitress, Virginia was killed in her yard by several blasts from a shotgun at close range. The person arrested was an old boyfriend, John David (Jack) Shaw, 39, the son of a well-known Decatur family. Shaw was convicted of first degree murder on 21 Mar 1961 and sentenced to life in prison. He appealed the conviction. The State Appellate court affirmed the life sentence in Nov 1965. She was survived by her father, Ernest F Phelps and her mother, Clara Emma (Pfister) Howell, three sisters and a brother. One brother, Bernerd Philip Phelps, was killed during the battle of Midway in June 1942.
----------------------------------------------------
[Bio compiled by G47]
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Illinois.
Family Members
Other Records
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
