One of Last Casualties of World War 2. Ensign Hobbs, US Navy, Serial #0-355123, was a Hellcat fighter pilot with VF-88, Air Group 88, 3rd Fleet, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown.
Hobbs grew up on a farm just outside of Kokomo Indiana. His father was well known in area for his work on hybrid corn. While in high school, Hobbs saved his money and took flying lessons, becoming one of the youngest licensed pilots in Indiana.
During World War 2, Hobbs enlisted into the US Navy's aviation cadet program. When he completed his training, Hobbs was assigned as a Hellcat fighter pilot with VBF-88, Air Group-88.
From July to August 1945, Air Group 88 began flying missions over mainland Japan from the USS Yorktown.
On the morning of August 15, 1945, Hobbs and 11 other Hellcat pilots were part of a mission to attack the Shibaura power plant in Tokyo.
Admiral Radford, the Task Force Commander, had deep reservations about this mission...since it was obvious that the Japanese had been defeated, and it appeared the war could be over in hours. Therefore, Radford was reluctant to unnecessarily endanger anymore of his pilots. But Admiral Halsey, Commander of the 3rd Fleet, and Admiral McCain believed in the need to maintain pressure on the Japanese.
As Hobbs and his fellow pilots were approaching their target, the Yorktown signaled that the Japanese had surrendered and the war was over. All pilots were ordered to immediately return to the fleet.
When Hobbs and his flight began their return to the Yorktown, they were surprised by an attack from a large formation of Japanese fighters. At the time of the attack, Hobbs and several others were at a disadvantage. They had been in the process of dumping their munitions.
In the ensuing dogfight Hobbs, ENS Mandeberg, LTJG H Harrison, and ENS Shalouf were all shot down and killed. They were some of the last causalities of World War 2.
Hobbs grew up on a farm just outside of Kokomo Indiana. His father was well known in area for his work on hybrid corn. While in high school, Hobbs saved his money and took flying lessons, becoming one of the youngest licensed pilots in Indiana.
During World War 2, Hobbs enlisted into the US Navy's aviation cadet program. When he completed his training, Hobbs was assigned as a Hellcat fighter pilot with VBF-88, Air Group-88.
From July to August 1945, Air Group 88 began flying missions over mainland Japan from the USS Yorktown.
On the morning of August 15, 1945, Hobbs and 11 other Hellcat pilots were part of a mission to attack the Shibaura power plant in Tokyo.
Admiral Radford, the Task Force Commander, had deep reservations about this mission...since it was obvious that the Japanese had been defeated, and it appeared the war could be over in hours. Therefore, Radford was reluctant to unnecessarily endanger anymore of his pilots. But Admiral Halsey, Commander of the 3rd Fleet, and Admiral McCain believed in the need to maintain pressure on the Japanese.
As Hobbs and his fellow pilots were approaching their target, the Yorktown signaled that the Japanese had surrendered and the war was over. All pilots were ordered to immediately return to the fleet.
When Hobbs and his flight began their return to the Yorktown, they were surprised by an attack from a large formation of Japanese fighters. At the time of the attack, Hobbs and several others were at a disadvantage. They had been in the process of dumping their munitions.
In the ensuing dogfight Hobbs, ENS Mandeberg, LTJG H Harrison, and ENS Shalouf were all shot down and killed. They were some of the last causalities of World War 2.
One of Last Casualties of World War 2. Ensign Hobbs, US Navy, Serial #0-355123, was a Hellcat fighter pilot with VF-88, Air Group 88, 3rd Fleet, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown.
Hobbs grew up on a farm just outside of Kokomo Indiana. His father was well known in area for his work on hybrid corn. While in high school, Hobbs saved his money and took flying lessons, becoming one of the youngest licensed pilots in Indiana.
During World War 2, Hobbs enlisted into the US Navy's aviation cadet program. When he completed his training, Hobbs was assigned as a Hellcat fighter pilot with VBF-88, Air Group-88.
From July to August 1945, Air Group 88 began flying missions over mainland Japan from the USS Yorktown.
On the morning of August 15, 1945, Hobbs and 11 other Hellcat pilots were part of a mission to attack the Shibaura power plant in Tokyo.
Admiral Radford, the Task Force Commander, had deep reservations about this mission...since it was obvious that the Japanese had been defeated, and it appeared the war could be over in hours. Therefore, Radford was reluctant to unnecessarily endanger anymore of his pilots. But Admiral Halsey, Commander of the 3rd Fleet, and Admiral McCain believed in the need to maintain pressure on the Japanese.
As Hobbs and his fellow pilots were approaching their target, the Yorktown signaled that the Japanese had surrendered and the war was over. All pilots were ordered to immediately return to the fleet.
When Hobbs and his flight began their return to the Yorktown, they were surprised by an attack from a large formation of Japanese fighters. At the time of the attack, Hobbs and several others were at a disadvantage. They had been in the process of dumping their munitions.
In the ensuing dogfight Hobbs, ENS Mandeberg, LTJG H Harrison, and ENS Shalouf were all shot down and killed. They were some of the last causalities of World War 2.
Hobbs grew up on a farm just outside of Kokomo Indiana. His father was well known in area for his work on hybrid corn. While in high school, Hobbs saved his money and took flying lessons, becoming one of the youngest licensed pilots in Indiana.
During World War 2, Hobbs enlisted into the US Navy's aviation cadet program. When he completed his training, Hobbs was assigned as a Hellcat fighter pilot with VBF-88, Air Group-88.
From July to August 1945, Air Group 88 began flying missions over mainland Japan from the USS Yorktown.
On the morning of August 15, 1945, Hobbs and 11 other Hellcat pilots were part of a mission to attack the Shibaura power plant in Tokyo.
Admiral Radford, the Task Force Commander, had deep reservations about this mission...since it was obvious that the Japanese had been defeated, and it appeared the war could be over in hours. Therefore, Radford was reluctant to unnecessarily endanger anymore of his pilots. But Admiral Halsey, Commander of the 3rd Fleet, and Admiral McCain believed in the need to maintain pressure on the Japanese.
As Hobbs and his fellow pilots were approaching their target, the Yorktown signaled that the Japanese had surrendered and the war was over. All pilots were ordered to immediately return to the fleet.
When Hobbs and his flight began their return to the Yorktown, they were surprised by an attack from a large formation of Japanese fighters. At the time of the attack, Hobbs and several others were at a disadvantage. They had been in the process of dumping their munitions.
In the ensuing dogfight Hobbs, ENS Mandeberg, LTJG H Harrison, and ENS Shalouf were all shot down and killed. They were some of the last causalities of World War 2.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Indiana.
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