LTJG Sahloff was a Hellcat fighter pilot with VBF-88, Air Group 88, USS Yorktown during World War 2.
On the morning of August 15, 1945, Sahloff and 11 other Hellcat pilots were part of a mission to attack the Shibaura power plant in Tokyo.
Admiral Radford, 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 Sahloff 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 Sahlouf 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, Shalouf and several others were at a disadvantage. They were in the process of dumping their munitions.
In the ensuing dogfight Shalouf, Ens Mandeberg, LtJg H Harrison, and Ens W Hobbs were all shot down and killed. They were some of the last causalities of World War 2.
Headline: Navy Lauds Selkirk Flier's Heroism
-Joseph G. Sahloff, aged 24; missing in action since V-J Day
-son of Mr & Mrs. Joseph F. Salhoff of Selkirk NY
-flew Hellcats
-article details his part in rescue of another pilot several weeks before V-J Day
-article also says he was shot down over Tokyo after cessation of hostilities when the carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) instructed the fliers to hold their bombs; four pilots were lost in the event
~source: The Knickerbocker News, Albany, NY; Monday April 1, 1946
On the morning of August 15, 1945, Sahloff and 11 other Hellcat pilots were part of a mission to attack the Shibaura power plant in Tokyo.
Admiral Radford, 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 Sahloff 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 Sahlouf 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, Shalouf and several others were at a disadvantage. They were in the process of dumping their munitions.
In the ensuing dogfight Shalouf, Ens Mandeberg, LtJg H Harrison, and Ens W Hobbs were all shot down and killed. They were some of the last causalities of World War 2.
Headline: Navy Lauds Selkirk Flier's Heroism
-Joseph G. Sahloff, aged 24; missing in action since V-J Day
-son of Mr & Mrs. Joseph F. Salhoff of Selkirk NY
-flew Hellcats
-article details his part in rescue of another pilot several weeks before V-J Day
-article also says he was shot down over Tokyo after cessation of hostilities when the carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) instructed the fliers to hold their bombs; four pilots were lost in the event
~source: The Knickerbocker News, Albany, NY; Monday April 1, 1946
LTJG Sahloff was a Hellcat fighter pilot with VBF-88, Air Group 88, USS Yorktown during World War 2.
On the morning of August 15, 1945, Sahloff and 11 other Hellcat pilots were part of a mission to attack the Shibaura power plant in Tokyo.
Admiral Radford, 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 Sahloff 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 Sahlouf 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, Shalouf and several others were at a disadvantage. They were in the process of dumping their munitions.
In the ensuing dogfight Shalouf, Ens Mandeberg, LtJg H Harrison, and Ens W Hobbs were all shot down and killed. They were some of the last causalities of World War 2.
Headline: Navy Lauds Selkirk Flier's Heroism
-Joseph G. Sahloff, aged 24; missing in action since V-J Day
-son of Mr & Mrs. Joseph F. Salhoff of Selkirk NY
-flew Hellcats
-article details his part in rescue of another pilot several weeks before V-J Day
-article also says he was shot down over Tokyo after cessation of hostilities when the carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) instructed the fliers to hold their bombs; four pilots were lost in the event
~source: The Knickerbocker News, Albany, NY; Monday April 1, 1946
On the morning of August 15, 1945, Sahloff and 11 other Hellcat pilots were part of a mission to attack the Shibaura power plant in Tokyo.
Admiral Radford, 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 Sahloff 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 Sahlouf 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, Shalouf and several others were at a disadvantage. They were in the process of dumping their munitions.
In the ensuing dogfight Shalouf, Ens Mandeberg, LtJg H Harrison, and Ens W Hobbs were all shot down and killed. They were some of the last causalities of World War 2.
Headline: Navy Lauds Selkirk Flier's Heroism
-Joseph G. Sahloff, aged 24; missing in action since V-J Day
-son of Mr & Mrs. Joseph F. Salhoff of Selkirk NY
-flew Hellcats
-article details his part in rescue of another pilot several weeks before V-J Day
-article also says he was shot down over Tokyo after cessation of hostilities when the carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) instructed the fliers to hold their bombs; four pilots were lost in the event
~source: The Knickerbocker News, Albany, NY; Monday April 1, 1946
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from New York.
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