Torpedo Squadron 8 film, link included

[Nathan]

Found a pretty neat site on VT-8 that was at the Battle of Midway. The film shows all the aircrews live that never came back home except Ens. George Gay. Dang seeing a group of men before they all died. Tough to watch. It's sad enough when you lose one or two planes from a squadron but when an entire squadron is lost its a bit more sad and humbling.

http://www.torpedoeight.com/tp8movie.html

[Robbie Stuart]

I was fortunate enough to meet George Gay in Harlingen TX, back in the early 80's at Airsho. He was an absolute pleasure to talk to, & a very humble man. I visited with him awhile, but before I left his table I bought his book, which he signed with a nice message for me. Great American, nice man!

[warbird1]

Yes, I bought that DVD from Gay's grandson, as well as several prints. His grandson is a true gentleman just like his grandfather was. Even though it's short, it's worth the money.

[SaxMan]

There's a fairly new book out there called "A Dawn Like Thunder" that tells the full story of Torpedo 8, including the detachment that was sent to transition to the TBF and flew from Midway when they couldn't be put aboard Hornet. Outstanding book and definitely worth the read.

I read somewhere (but not in this particular book) that the TBF got the name "Avenger" after the Midway battle as it was going to avenge all the deaths of the TBD crews who were killed at Midway. Has anyone heard this before?

[Owen Miller]

My OPINION is that the Avenger name having that explanation is a
myth. I have been told the name was picked long before Midway.

A similar situation is the oft-told-tale that the F6F was built as a
response to the Zero; that evals of a captured A6M provided the
date. The first captured Zero the USN had access to was Koga's
plane lost 4JUN42. The F6F designs has been finalized by that time.

Both make for good stories, just as the tale of the Sake engine
if the Zero being a copy of a Pratt & Whitney design.

Of course, I could be wrong...

Owen

[Owen Miller]

I forgot to add that "A Dawn Like Thunder" is one
of the best, most well researched books I've ever
read.

I'm no authority, but I've been reading about Naval
Aviation and the Pacific War for a long time. In the
course of that I've gotten to know a number of the
men who made that history. As far as facts and
presentation, this volume is right up there with the
work of guys like Tillman, Lundstrom, and Ewing.

[lmritger]

I forgot to add that "A Dawn Like Thunder" is one
of the best, most well researched books I've ever
read.

I'm no authority, but I've been reading about Naval
Aviation and the Pacific War for a long time. In the
course of that I've gotten to know a number of the
men who made that history. As far as facts and
presentation, this volume is right up there with the
work of guys like Tillman, Lundstrom, and Ewing.

Now THAT is exactly the sort of endorsement I've been wanting to see on this book... I've been considering getting it, but wanted to hear about it from someone whose opinion I trust. So on the "to buy" list it goes! Thanks, Owen!

Lynn