World War II United States Navy Aviator. Born at Fort Pierre, South Dakota, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, in 1924 and became a naval aviator in 1927. In 1941 he was a Lieutenant Commander and became Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8) to serve on the new aircraft carrier "USS Hornet" (CV-8). At the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942, he disobeyed orders from his superiors, and led his squadron on a course that saw him to be the first to locate and attack the Japanese Imperial Fleet, which United States Navy commanders thought were in a different direction. In overwhelming enemy fighter opposition while making an unsupported attack on Japanese aircraft carriers, he with all fifteen of his planes and 28 crew were lost. However, their sacrifice made possible the success of American dive bombers that arrived later, to devastate the Japanese carriers "Akagi," Kaga," and "Soryu," bringing victory at Midway. The "USS Waldron" (DD-699), an "Allen M. Sumner"-class destroyer, was commissioned in 1943 in his honor.
World War II United States Navy Aviator. Born at Fort Pierre, South Dakota, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, in 1924 and became a naval aviator in 1927. In 1941 he was a Lieutenant Commander and became Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8) to serve on the new aircraft carrier "USS Hornet" (CV-8). At the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942, he disobeyed orders from his superiors, and led his squadron on a course that saw him to be the first to locate and attack the Japanese Imperial Fleet, which United States Navy commanders thought were in a different direction. In overwhelming enemy fighter opposition while making an unsupported attack on Japanese aircraft carriers, he with all fifteen of his planes and 28 crew were lost. However, their sacrifice made possible the success of American dive bombers that arrived later, to devastate the Japanese carriers "Akagi," Kaga," and "Soryu," bringing victory at Midway. The "USS Waldron" (DD-699), an "Allen M. Sumner"-class destroyer, was commissioned in 1943 in his honor.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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SOUTH DAKOTA
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