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Axel,
John S. "Jimmy" Thach was a Naval Aviator, who was in command of VF-3 when the attack on Pearl Harbor brought the US into WWII. The F4F Wildcats with which the USN was equipped at that time were generally outclassed by the Japanese Zero fighter. Thach's best known contribution was the "Thach weave", a defensive maneuver performed by two Wildcats, which, if done correctly, became Offensive. This is one of the reasons the USN was able to gain Air Superiority, and hold on with inferior planes, until better aircraft like the Hellcats and Corsairs came along. One of the best-known early war photos is of Thach and Edward "Butch" O'Hare (the USN's first Medal of Honor winning fighter pilot in WWII), flying in formation in their F4F-3's. Thach is credited with 6 victories.
After the Battle of Midway, Thach was on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations Training.In 1944, he was on the staffs of Adm Mitscher and McCain in the Pacific. Thach was invited by Adm Halsey to participate in the surrender on board the USS Missouri.
During the Korean War, he was in command of the USS Sicily, and served 2 tours off the Korean coast. Later commanded the USS Franklin D Roosevelt. Retired in 1967, as CinC. US Naval Forces, Europe. The frigate USS Thach (FFG-43)is named in his honor.
Rich
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