Seaman Polston, USN was listed as missing in action for 1 yr before he was declared "officially" dead. He actually died on 4 Jun 1942 during the Air Battle of Midway.
The following is a citation from President Franklin Roosevelt:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Seaman Second Class Francis Samuel Polston (NSN: 3424577), 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, Seaman Second Class Polston 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.
Action Date: 4-Jun-42
Home of Record: Nashville, Missouri
Service: Navy
Rank: Seaman Second Class
Company: Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8)
Division: U.S.S. Hornet (CV-8)
He was also awarded the Purple Heart Medal in recognition of the wounds he suffered during combat on 4 June 1942, and the Presidential Unit Citation which was awarded by President Franklin Roosevelt.
That citation 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.
Seaman Polston was a true hero. He died with his pilot, Ensign William W Creamer. Their remains were unrecoverable. He was also memorialized at the Honolulu Memorial at Find A Grave Memorial# 56119404.
The following is a citation from President Franklin Roosevelt:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Seaman Second Class Francis Samuel Polston (NSN: 3424577), 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, Seaman Second Class Polston 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.
Action Date: 4-Jun-42
Home of Record: Nashville, Missouri
Service: Navy
Rank: Seaman Second Class
Company: Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8)
Division: U.S.S. Hornet (CV-8)
He was also awarded the Purple Heart Medal in recognition of the wounds he suffered during combat on 4 June 1942, and the Presidential Unit Citation which was awarded by President Franklin Roosevelt.
That citation 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.
Seaman Polston was a true hero. He died with his pilot, Ensign William W Creamer. Their remains were unrecoverable. He was also memorialized at the Honolulu Memorial at Find A Grave Memorial# 56119404.
Seaman Polston, USN was listed as missing in action for 1 yr before he was declared "officially" dead. He actually died on 4 Jun 1942 during the Air Battle of Midway.
The following is a citation from President Franklin Roosevelt:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Seaman Second Class Francis Samuel Polston (NSN: 3424577), 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, Seaman Second Class Polston 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.
Action Date: 4-Jun-42
Home of Record: Nashville, Missouri
Service: Navy
Rank: Seaman Second Class
Company: Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8)
Division: U.S.S. Hornet (CV-8)
He was also awarded the Purple Heart Medal in recognition of the wounds he suffered during combat on 4 June 1942, and the Presidential Unit Citation which was awarded by President Franklin Roosevelt.
That citation 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.
Seaman Polston was a true hero. He died with his pilot, Ensign William W Creamer. Their remains were unrecoverable. He was also memorialized at the Honolulu Memorial at Find A Grave Memorial# 56119404.
The following is a citation from President Franklin Roosevelt:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Seaman Second Class Francis Samuel Polston (NSN: 3424577), 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, Seaman Second Class Polston 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.
Action Date: 4-Jun-42
Home of Record: Nashville, Missouri
Service: Navy
Rank: Seaman Second Class
Company: Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8)
Division: U.S.S. Hornet (CV-8)
He was also awarded the Purple Heart Medal in recognition of the wounds he suffered during combat on 4 June 1942, and the Presidential Unit Citation which was awarded by President Franklin Roosevelt.
That citation 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.
Seaman Polston was a true hero. He died with his pilot, Ensign William W Creamer. Their remains were unrecoverable. He was also memorialized at the Honolulu Memorial at Find A Grave Memorial# 56119404.
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