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USS Ely (DE 309)
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Size | Image Description | Contributed By And/Or Copyright |
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 0630901   |
35k | Arthur Vincent Ely, born 08 March 1912 in Pittsburgh, Pa., graduated from the Naval Academy in 1935, and after aviation training in 1938 joined Torpedo Squadron 6.
Lieutenant Ely's plane was shot down on 04 June 1942 in the Battle of Midway. For his vigorous assault on Japanese forces, he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart. CITATION: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Arthur Vincent Ely (NSN: 0-75039), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Executive Officer of Torpedo Squadron SIX (VT-6), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. Participating in a vigorous and intensive assault against the Japanese invasion fleet, Lieutenant Ely pressed home his attack with relentless determination in the face of a terrific barrage of anti-aircraft fire. The unprecedented conditions under which his squadron launched its offensive were so exceptional that it is highly improbably the occasion may ever recur where other pilots of the service will be called upon to demonstrate an equal degree of gallantry and fortitude. His extreme disregard of personal safety contributed materially to the success of our forces and his loyal conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. USS Ely (DE 309) was the first ship to be named in his honor. (Photo from the U.S. Naval Academy Yearbook; The Lucky Bag, Class of 1935, Courtesy of the United States Naval Academy.) (For a more complete biography of Lt. Ely created by Gerry Lawton, Commander, USN (ret.): CLICK HERE) |
Bill Gonyo Downey, Cal. Assoc. Researcher Navsource | |
 0630902 |
116k | 10 April 1944: Distinguished guests at the launching of USS Ely (DE 309). Left to right: Capt. F. W. Scanland, Mrs. V. L. Ansaw, Lcdr. C. B. Taylor,
Mrs. E. J. Sullivan, Mrs. R. Toschi, Mrs. Ann. G. Ely (Sponsor), Radm M. S. Tisdale, Miss Louise Ely (Maid of Honor) Capt. G. C. Klein, Mrs. M. S. Tisdale. (U.S. Navy Photo #DE-309-2232-44) |
Darryl Baker PNCM, USNR (ret.) Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum | |
 0630903 |
91k | 10 April 1944: Mrs. Ann G. Ely (Sponsor) christens Ely. Left to right: Radm Mahlon S. Tisdale, Mrs. Ann. G. Ely (Sponsor), Miss Louise Ely (Maid of Honor)
and Capt. G. C. Klein. (U.S. Navy Photo #DE-309-2239-44) | ||
 0630904 |
124k | 03 July 1944: Bow view of a nest of "never to be completed" destroyers escorts at Mare Island. Left to right: USS Delbert W. Halsey (DE 310),
USS Ely (DE 309) and USS Creamer (DE 308). (U.S. Navy Photo #DE-309-4148-44) | ||
 0630905 |
141k | 03 July 1944: Stern view, nest of above listed "never to be completed" destroyers escorts. (U.S. Navy Photo #DE-309-4171-44) | ||
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