Gerald W. Thomas recounts growing up on a ranch in Idaho during the Great Depression, playing baseball with Jackie and Mack Robinson, joining the Navy after Pearl Harbor, and serving as a TBM Torpedo... More > Bomber pilot on aircraft carriers in the Atlantic and Pacific. In an air attack on Bodo, Norway, his plane was heavily damaged by AA fire. In spite of an oil leak that covered the cockpit canopy and reduced visibility to almost zero, he was able to crash-land on the carrier, saving himself and his two crewmen.
In the Pacific, he participated in air attacks on Manilla, Mindoro, Luzon, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Japan.
He had just returned to the USS ESSEX after a strike on Luzon when the carrier was hit by a Kamikaze, killing 16.
Thomas was awarded 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2 Air Medals, and 2 Presidential Citations for his combat actions in WWII.
After the war, Thomas earned a PhD and after a distinguished academic career, became president of New Mexico State University.< Less
An historical account of World War II as seen from the cockpit of an Avenger, the US Navy's most famous torpedo bomber. Serving on the aircraft carriers USS RANGER, USS BUNKER HILL, and USS ESSEX,... More > Torpedo Four was the only squadron that fought in both the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters.
In an air attack on Bodø, Norway, Thomas' plane was heavily damaged by AA fire. In spite of an oil leak that covered the cockpit canopy and reduced visibility to almost zero, he was able to crash-land on the carrier, saving himself and his two crewmen.
In the Pacific, he participated in air attacks on Manilla, Mindoro, Luzon, Saigon, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Japan. He had just returned to the USS ESSEX after a strike on Luzon when the carrier was hit by a Kamikaze, killing 16.
Thomas was awarded 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2 Air Medals, and 2 Presidential Citations for his combat actions in WWII.< Less
This book is an historical account of World War II as seen by Thomas from the cockpit of an Avenger, the US Navy's famous torpedo bomber. Serving on the aircraft carriers USS Ranger, USS Bunker Hill,... More > and USS Essex, Torpedo Four was the only squadron that fought in both the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters.
In an air attack on Bodo, Norway, Thomas' plane was heavily damaged by AA fire. In spite of an oil leak that covered the cockpit canopy and reduced visibility to almost zero, he was able to crash-land on the carrier, saving himself and his two crewmen.
In the Pacific, he participated in attacks on Manilla, Mindoro, Luzon, Formosa, Saigon, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Japan. He had just returned to the Essex after a strike on Luzon when the carrier was hit by a Kamikaze, killing 16.
Thomas was awarded 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2 Air Medals, and 2 Presidential Citations for his combat actions in WWII. He retired from the Navy Reserve with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.< Less
Gerald W. Thomas recounts growing up on a ranch in Idaho during the Great Depression, playing baseball with Jackie and Mack Robinson, joining the Navy after Pearl Harbor, and serving as a TBM Torpedo... More > Bomber pilot on aircraft carriers in the Atlantic and Pacific. In an air attack on Bodo, Norway, his plane was heavily damaged by AA fire. In spite of an oil leak that covered the cockpit canopy and reduced visibility to almost zero, he was able to crash-land on the carrier, saving himself and his two crewmen. In the Pacific, he participated in air attacks on Manilla, Mindoro, Luzon, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Japan. He had just returned to the USS ESSEX after a strike on Luzon when the carrier was hit by a Kamikaze, killing 16. Thomas was awarded 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2 Air Medals, and 2 Presidential Citations for his combat actions in WWII. After the war, Thomas earned a PhD and after a distinguished academic career, became president of New Mexico State University.< Less
About David Thomas
Doc 45 Publishing is a publisher of books on New Mexico and WWII History.
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