United States Navy Admiral. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland in 1927, and was commissioned an Ensign. Assigned to battleships until entering flight training in 1929, he was designated a Naval Aviator in 1930, and over the next decade he gained a reputation as an expert in aerial gunnery, a test pilot and instructor. During World War II, as a Lieutenant Commander, he led the F4F Wildcat Fighting Three Squadron from United States aircraft carriers in early Pacific actions and became a double ace. He was credited for developing the fighter combat technique known as the "Thach Weave", which contributed to the success against the Japanese at the Battle of Midway and many other battles. After a period of instructing other pilots in combat tactics, he was promoted Captain of carriers task force operations and was present at the Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945. After the war he served in several air training staff assignments was promoted Rear Admiral and commanded a carrier fleet in the Korean War. In the 1950s, he held a number of assignments including command of the antisubmarine development unit Task Group Alpha, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air in the Pentagon and was promoted Vice Admiral in 1960. Appointed Full Admiral in February 1965, he was Commander in Chief of the United States Naval Forces, Europe, until his retirement in May 1967. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, two Navy Cross Medals, Silver Star Medal, two Legion of Merits and a Bronze Star Medal. The missile frigate "USS Thach" (FFG-43), was commissioned and named in his honor in March 1984.
United States Navy Admiral. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland in 1927, and was commissioned an Ensign. Assigned to battleships until entering flight training in 1929, he was designated a Naval Aviator in 1930, and over the next decade he gained a reputation as an expert in aerial gunnery, a test pilot and instructor. During World War II, as a Lieutenant Commander, he led the F4F Wildcat Fighting Three Squadron from United States aircraft carriers in early Pacific actions and became a double ace. He was credited for developing the fighter combat technique known as the "Thach Weave", which contributed to the success against the Japanese at the Battle of Midway and many other battles. After a period of instructing other pilots in combat tactics, he was promoted Captain of carriers task force operations and was present at the Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945. After the war he served in several air training staff assignments was promoted Rear Admiral and commanded a carrier fleet in the Korean War. In the 1950s, he held a number of assignments including command of the antisubmarine development unit Task Group Alpha, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air in the Pentagon and was promoted Vice Admiral in 1960. Appointed Full Admiral in February 1965, he was Commander in Chief of the United States Naval Forces, Europe, until his retirement in May 1967. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, two Navy Cross Medals, Silver Star Medal, two Legion of Merits and a Bronze Star Medal. The missile frigate "USS Thach" (FFG-43), was commissioned and named in his honor in March 1984.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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