Richard married Doris Avis Albro (November 21, 1914 - December 6, 1968) on June 24, 1932, in . The three-plane CEAG section was expected to attack last, as their planes were equipped with cameras to assess the damage later. After 2pm, Best was again over the Japanese fleet. Richard married Doris Avis Albro (November 21, 1914 - December 6, 1968) on June 24, 1932, in Washington, D.C and they divorced on January 24, 1966. Frederick Thomas Weber, landed in the water, near the stern. The inhaled caustic fumes caused an aspiration pneumonia and eroded away a tuberculosis granuloma, transforming the inactive form of the organism into an active form, resulting in the progression from latent TB infection to TB disease. [2], On December 7, 1941, Best was aboard Enterprise awaiting her return to port when he learned (along with most of VB-6) that several of his squadmates on morning search had flown into the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. After the battle, Best was awarded the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross. How many veterans are alive from Pearl Harbor? He died on October 28, 2001 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Best saw his first real combat on February 1, 1942, flying in two strikes against the Marshall Islands. Sometime in the past, Best had contracted latent tuberculosis, which remained in his lungs in an inactive state for years. Only the Japanese carrier Hiryu remained. The wreck was found 3 miles (5 km) beneath the surface and was photographed. The flight surgeon found out that the gas fumes had activated latent tuberculosis. However, evidently, McClusky was not aware of this, having been a fighter pilot until becoming CEAG. In June 1938, he was given the choice to either join a patrol squadron at Panama or Hawaii or become a flight instructor at Pensacola. He passed on October 28, 2001 at the age of 91. He entered the U.S. Up to early 1942 Best advanced to Executive Officer and finally Commander of VB-6. Free shipping for many products! He graduated in 1932 and then served aboard the USS Richmond (CL-9). [14] According to Stephen L. Moore, Best may have been "the first pilot to successfully bomb two Japanese carriers in one day". Richard Halsey Best was a dive bomber pilot and squadron commander in the United States Navy during World War II. 100 (approx.) This division became part of the Rand Corporation in December 1948, where Best headed the security department until his retirement in March 1975. Richard Halsey Best was born in Bayonne, New Jersey on March 24, 1910. Yamaguchis carrier force was part of the attack on Pearl Harbor. WithUS intelligence having broken the Japanese naval code, Nimitz knew that the Japanese were about to launch a massive attack Midway, down to the number of ships, likely position and time of attack. Richard Halsey Best (March 24, 1910 October 28, 2001) was a dive bomber pilot and squadron commander in the United States Navy during World War II. John Nance Gardner of Texas would have been our 32nd president had Giuseppe Zangara been successful in his assassination attempt on FDR when he was still president-elect in February 1933. Attacking without fighter cover, in antiquated planes with pilots who had yet to drop a real torpedo, the squadron was decimated. Best chose to go to Pensacola and was assigned to Training Squadron Five, which trained carrier aviation, aerobatics, aerial combat and gunnery, dive-bombing, torpedo dropping, formation flying, and instrument flying. Best expected to attack according to U.S. dive bomber doctrine, which stated that the trailing squadron (VB-6) would attack the nearer target (in this case Kaga), while the leading squadron (VS-6) would take the farther of the two (here Akagi). USS Yorktown (CV/CVA/CVS-10) is one of 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers built during World War II for the United States Navy. - 1697) family tree on Geni, with over 230 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. The flight surgeon found out that the gas fumes had activated latent tuberculosis. Only the dive bombers stayed together and reached the Japanese by 09:55. Doris died 06-12-1968 (age 54) in Los Angeles County, California, USA. Richard Halsey Best, US Navy pilot. Brother of Daniel Halsey; Jemima Roe; Elizabeth Halsey (Halsey) and Deborah Halsey Both carriers and their sister ship USS:Yorktown were then recalled to participate in what was to be the Battle of Midway. But the Soviets would not be there anymore. The flight deck of USSEnterpriseon May 15, 1942: The first SBD is either Bests (B-1) or that of the CO of VS-6 (S-1). Just after Best landed on Enterprise, he began to cough up blood. He put in a request for a transfer to the Pacific Fleet in that capacity. He died on October 28, 2001, at the age of 91, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Just after Best landed on Enterprise, he began to cough up blood. However, McClusky, who had been a fighter pilot before becoming CEAG, was apparently unaware of this, and decided to lead VS-6 against Kaga. At this point, the attack became confused, as all 31 remaining Dauntlesses moved to attack Kaga. After these raids Enterprise returned to Pearl Harbor and accompanied USS Hornet during the Doolittle Raid in mid-April. Young, 12 planes of Scouting Squadron Six (VS-6) and five from VB-6, Best not being among them. However, the squadrons became separated and reached the Japanese independently. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Richard then became an editor on Peyton Place at the age of 28 and moved into feature editing, winning the Oscar for Rocky at the age of 36. Best landed one of the four 1,000 pound bombs that ended the Hiryu, and Japanese hopes for the Battle of Midway. Geni requires JavaScript! There were navigation problems. She sank on 19 June 1944 during the Battle of the Philippine Sea due to explosions resulting from design flaws and poor damage control after suffering a single torpedo hit from the American submarine USS Albacore. The following 5 files are in this category, out of 5 total. Best, Richard Halsey Dick, born 24-03-1910inBayonne, Hudson, New Jersey, the son of Frank Ellsworth Best and Euretta Love (Halsey) Best, who emigrated to the United States from England in the 1800s, living first in Wisconsin where he mustered into F Company of the 13th Wisconsin Infantry during the American Civil War, and later moving to California and then Oregon in his old age. While in junior high school at Bancroft Jr High, they needed someone to run the projectors for different classes so he volunteered in order to get out of class, so started his first experience with film. That evening, he flew in the first Enterprise strike of the war as one of six SBDs carrying smoke generators. Birth Place: Bayonne, New Jersey Country: United States. After contact reports from Midway-based PBY Catalina patrol aircraft on the morning of June 4, 1942, Enterprise started to launch her air group starting at 07:06. After graduating with honors in 1932, he served for two years aboard the light cruiser USS Richmond. This division became part of the Rand Corporation in December 1948, where Best headed the security department until his retirement in March 1975. At this point, the attack became confused, as all 34 Dauntlesses started to attack Kaga, and none the Akagi. Again he made a snap decision to change course and attack the carrier instead. "My brother-in-law, Anthony Gerard Ciccone, exited . He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1928. Despite some of the Hollywood aspects, this is still the most realistic movie about naval combat ever made, commented retired Navy Rear Adm. However, most of VB-6 missed his signal to abort and continued their dives on Kaga. Richard H. Best entered the United States Naval Academy in 1928. We all know the story. Best's three SBDs launched their attack at 10:26am. Therefore, McClusky began his dive onKaga, being followed by VS-6, and Bests VB-6 was also attackingKagaaccording to doctrine. What was historically accurate in the movie Pearl Harbor? And yes, Bruno Gaido was a hero, almost single-handedly saving his ship by shooting down a Japanese bomber before it could crash into the USS Enterprise. On 19th May 1998, the wreck of YORKTOWN was found by Dr. Robert D. Ballard, famous oceanographer and discoverer of the wreck of the Titanic. After contact reports of Midway-based PBY Catalina patrol aircraft on the morning of 04-06-1942, Enterprise started to launch her air group starting on 07:06h. The first bomb missed, exploding forward and to port of the Japanese carrier. Age. Anticipating what was probably coming, after a year and some months of instructing, Best decided that he could be of most use as a dive bomber pilot. He entered the hospital at Pearl Harbor on June 24, 1942. He retired in 1944, never having flown a combat mission again. Richard married Doris Avis Albro (November 21, 1914 - December 6, 1968) on June 24, 1932, in Washington, D.C and they divorced on January 24, 1966. Therefore, McClusky began his dive on Kaga, being followed by VS-6, and Best's VB-6 was also attacking Kaga according to doctrine. Best was transferred from Pearl Harbor Hospital to Fitzsimons General Hospital in Aurora, Colorado, where he received proper treatment for his tuberculosis. However, the squadrons became separated and reached the *anese independently. Gender. Nagumo may well have had two unscathed carriers, and twice the air power,to attack the American fleet after the diver bomber attack destroyed Soryu and Kaga.. Japanese equipment and pilots were still superb (as witnessed by the successful torpedo attacks on the USS Yorktown by Hiryu air crews) and could have tipped the battle to a draw or worse. The material used in the rebreather to remove exhaled carbon dioxide was sodium hydroxide. [2], On December 7, 1941, the Enterprise was operating 330km (150mi) south of Pearl Harbor. Best was married and had a daughter (Barbara Ann Llewellyn), a son (Richard Halsey Best II), a grandson, and a step-daughter (Amy Best). He died in October 2001 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Each scene of the Midway movie was carefully reviewed to make sure it was historically accurate. Best expected to attack according to U.S. dive bomber doctrine, which stated that the trailing squadron (VB-6) would attack the nearer target (in this case Kaga), while the leading squadron (VS-6) would take the farther of the two (here Akagi). Hiryu was attacked by waves of American planes at about 5 p.m., Fuchida wrote. Home Travel Question: What Happened To Richard Best Wife. Richard Halsey (born 1940) is an American film editor with more than 60 credits from 1970 onwards. Right here at FameChain. 1918. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Lieutenant Commander Best was the only pilot who successfully bombed two Japanese carriers on 04-06-1942. His first assignment was Fighting Squadron Two (VF-2B) aboard the aircraft carrier USSLexington, flying the Grumman F2F. Enterprise and Hornet left Pearl Harbor on May 28, the hastily repaired Yorktown two days later to take part in what became known as Battle of Midway, from 4 to June 6, 1942.[6]. After these raids Enterprise returned to Pearl Harbor and accompanied USSHornet during the Doolittle Raid in mid-April. Best was married and had a daughter - Barbara Ann Llewellyn and a son - Richard Halsey Best II.[13]. His first assignment was Fighting Squadron Two (VF-2B) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lexington, flying the Grumman F2F. After his retirement from the Navy, Best moved to Santa Monica, California, where he lived for the rest of his life. Best is believed to be the only US aviator to have successfully bombed two carriers n a single day. After the battle, Best was awarded the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He put in a request for a transfer to the Pacific Fleet in that capacity. 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