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The FReeper Foxhole Remembers John Waldron and The Battle of Midway (6/4/1942) - June 4th, 2003
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-w/j-waldrn.htm ^

Posted on 06/04/2003 5:33:59 AM PDT by SAMWolf



Dear Lord,

There's a young man far from home,
called to serve his nation in time of war;
sent to defend our freedom
on some distant foreign shore.

We pray You keep him safe,
we pray You keep him strong,
we pray You send him safely home ...
for he's been away so long.

There's a young woman far from home,
serving her nation with pride.
Her step is strong, her step is sure,
there is courage in every stride.
We pray You keep her safe,
we pray You keep her strong,
we pray You send her safely home ...
for she's been away too long.

Bless those who await their safe return.
Bless those who mourn the lost.
Bless those who serve this country well,
no matter what the cost.

Author Unknown

.

FReepers from the The Foxhole
join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time.

.

.................................................................................................................................

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

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Click on the pix

Lt. Commander John Waldron
Torpedo 8 at The Battle of Midway


John C. Waldron was born at Fort Pierre, South Dakota, on 24 August 1900. Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1924, he became a Naval Aviator in 1927. During the years prior to World War II, he served in several air units, was an instructor at the Naval Academy and at Pensacola, Florida, and performed other duties connected with aviation. In 1941, LCdr. Waldron became Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8), which was to serve on the new aircraft carrier Hornet (CV-8). He led that unit during the Battle of Midway, when all fifteen of its planes were lost to overwhelming enemy fighter opposition while making an unsupported attack on the Japanese aircraft carrier force. Lieutenant Commander John C. Waldron was killed during that action.


Lieutenant Commander John Charles Waldron, USN (1900-1942)


John Waldron was commanding officer of Torpedo Squadron 8 which the lost the entire squadron of 15 TBD's at the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942. His body was not recovered.

As reported in Captain M. A. Mitscher's report to the Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet on June 13, 1942: "Torpedo 8 led by Lieutenant Commander John C. Waldron was lost in its entirety. This squadron flew at 100 knots below the clouds while the remainder of the group flew at 110 knots, climbing to 19,000 feet. Lieutenant Commander Waldron, a highly aggressive officer, leading a well trained squadron, found his target and attacked.... This squadron is deserving of the highest honors for finding the enemy, pressing home the attack, without fighter protection and without diverting dive bomber attacks to draw the enemy fire. Ensign G. H. Gay, A-V (N), U. S. N. R. is worthy of additional praise for making a torpedo hit and for the presence of mind he showed in hiding under his seat cushion, after being shot down, for several hours, thereby probably saving his own life and giving us an excellent eye-witness picture of the damage caused by the attack on the enemy carriers".


The last of Torpedo Eight's TBDs, T-16 (BuNo 1506), flown by LCDR John C. Waldron with Horace Franklin Dobbs, CRMP, in the rear seat, taking off Hornet on 4 June 1942. Notice the unstowed twin .30 cal. Photo courtesy Mark Horan


Captain Mitscher later added in his report the following , making reference to recommended awards: "In particular, the Commanding Officer feels that the conduct of Torpedo Squadron Eight, led by an indomitable Squadron Commander, is one of the most outstanding exhibitions of personal bravery and gallantry that has ever come to his attention in the records of the past or present".

Commander Waldron was awarded the Navy Cross for heroism posthumously. The Battle of Midway has been termed the turning point in the Pacific Theatre in WW II and was the subject of an epic motion picture film.



Waldron Field was named 5 March 1943, prior to establishing of station, in honor of Lieutenant Commander John C. Waldron, killed in action leading the attack of Torpedo Squadron 8 in the Battle of Midway; 4 June 1942. The former NAAS now an OLF to NAS Corpus Christi.

On August 10, 1941, Waldron became commander of Torpedo Squadron 8, based on the USS Hornet. Waldron was forty-one when he was killed in the Battle of Midway, the turning point of the war in the Pacific. Flying without fighter protection and without sufficient fuel in which to make it back to his carrier, Waldron, leading the rest of his Torpedo Squadron 8, delivered an attack against the Japanese on June 4, 1942. Battling fierce Japanese fire, Waldron’s squadron had little chance. He and others tried to escape their planes as they were hit, but few were successful. Of the fifteen planes and thirty men, only one officer lived to tell of the heroic leadership of Lt. Cmdr. Waldron. It is apparent that Waldron’s outstanding leadership motivated his men to die for him and with him and the cause for which they stood.


John Waldron (left), and Horace Dobbs (right) during Coral Sea

An airfield at Corpus Christi, Texas, was named for Cmdr. Waldron in April of 1943. A destroyer, USS Waldron, also became his namesake. In addition, a street in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota is named for John Waldron, WW II hero.



TOPICS: VetsCoR
KEYWORDS: freeperfoxhole; japan; johnwaldron; michaeldobbs; midway; pacific; torpedo8; veterans; warriorwednesday
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To: GATOR NAVY
I saw his thread this morning. If that was all fifiteen planes of Torpedo *, it is impressive. It would be tha last time they were seen by the fleet.

I knew Ballard found the Yorktown and saw the special, She wasn't very overgrown if I recall. Too deep I guess. I didn't know they had found the Japanese carriers.
101 posted on 06/04/2003 6:49:22 PM PDT by SAMWolf (Experience varies directly with equipment ruined.)
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To: SAMWolf; AntiJen; MistyCA; souris; SpookBrat; SassyMom; snippy_about_it; All
Evening everyone! Good to see you all.


102 posted on 06/04/2003 6:50:30 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul
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To: GATOR NAVY
Great diagram of the Hit locations on Kaga. I had never seen that before.
103 posted on 06/04/2003 6:51:02 PM PDT by SAMWolf (Experience varies directly with equipment ruined.)
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To: snippy_about_it
Good night Snippy. Now you're gonna get me hoked on your good night music.
104 posted on 06/04/2003 6:51:55 PM PDT by SAMWolf (Experience varies directly with equipment ruined.)
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To: SpookBrat
Hi Spooky!!! How are ya?
105 posted on 06/04/2003 6:52:40 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul
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To: Victoria Delsoul
Evening Victoria. Good one tonight.
106 posted on 06/04/2003 6:53:15 PM PDT by SAMWolf (Experience varies directly with equipment ruined.)
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To: SAMWolf
Hi Sam, thank you. How are you this evening?
107 posted on 06/04/2003 7:03:16 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul
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To: HiJinx
And somebody I know would rather visit his mother-in-law than have to listen to Salsa!!!

LOL! good one, Jinx.

108 posted on 06/04/2003 7:06:01 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul
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To: Victoria Delsoul
Doing OK. Two more evenings of Freedom left.
109 posted on 06/04/2003 7:15:21 PM PDT by SAMWolf (Experience varies directly with equipment ruined.)
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To: SAMWolf
Oh no! LOL!
110 posted on 06/04/2003 7:17:25 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul
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To: Victoria Delsoul
:-(
111 posted on 06/04/2003 7:18:14 PM PDT by SAMWolf (Experience varies directly with equipment ruined.)
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To: SAMWolf; snippy_about_it; Victoria Delsoul; AntiJen; Johnny Gage; Light Speed
TBD-1 Devastator
1:48 Monogram


112 posted on 06/04/2003 9:00:25 PM PDT by PhilDragoo (Hitlery: das Butch von Buchenvald)
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To: PhilDragoo
Fantastic pics, Phil. Thanks a lot.
113 posted on 06/04/2003 9:08:35 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul
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To: SAMWolf; All
Good night SAM, everyone.
114 posted on 06/04/2003 9:19:45 PM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: SAMWolf; Johnny Gage; Light Speed
Accurate Miniatures SBD Dauntless
1:48 Scale Model


115 posted on 06/04/2003 9:22:37 PM PDT by PhilDragoo (Hitlery: das Butch von Buchenvald)
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To: aomagrat
The funnels folded down into their wells in only 30 seconds

Translation..an eternity
116 posted on 06/04/2003 9:32:28 PM PDT by Valin (Age and deceit beat youth and skill)
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To: PhilDragoo
Evening PhilDragoo.

Monogram had the best plane model kits. Someone is a good modeller.
117 posted on 06/04/2003 9:38:54 PM PDT by SAMWolf (Experience varies directly with equipment ruined.)
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To: SAMWolf; All
Three Carriers Sunk at Midway

Kaga steams through heavy north Pacific seas, en route to attack Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, circa early December 1941. Carrier Zuikaku is at right. Frame from a motion picture film taken from the carrier Akagi. The original film was found on Kiska in 1943.


118 posted on 06/04/2003 9:40:27 PM PDT by PhilDragoo (Hitlery: das Butch von Buchenvald)
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To: PhilDragoo
The Dauntless was a "classy" plane.
119 posted on 06/04/2003 9:40:48 PM PDT by SAMWolf (Experience varies directly with equipment ruined.)
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To: Victoria Delsoul
Victoria I may have to 'borrow' this graphic from you, very nice. :)
120 posted on 06/05/2003 2:51:09 AM PDT by snippy_about_it (Pray for our Troops)
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