The Aviation Art from The Estate of Ensign George H. Gay

The Aviation Art from The Estate of Ensign George H. Gay is now available at WWW.TORPEDOEIGHT.COM after being in storage for over 12 years.

George Gay was famous for being the sole survivor of Torpedo Squadron Eight VT-8 and was featured on the cover of LIFE magazine in 1942. During The World War Two battle of Midway his Squadron found the Japanese Navy and attacked with out the needed protection from American fighter aircraft. Torpedo Eight (all 15 Torpedo bombers) were subsequently wiped out of existence by the more than 50 Japanese fighter aircraft that were defending the fleet. All 15 Torpedo bombers and 29 of the 30 airmen were lost.

Their heroic attack was not in vain because their attack drew most of the Japanese fighters down from altitude to deal with them. Shortly after their loss US Navy height altitude dive bombers arrived on the seen and were able to launch their attacks almost unopposed by the Japanese fighters. The US dive bombers scored massive hits on three of the four Japanese carriers present.

George Gay had (as LIFE magazine called it) a fish's-eye view of the main action. He was the only American to witness this historic battle. After being rescued George Gay personally confirmed to Admiral Nimitz that he had witnessed the sinking of three of the four Japanese aircraft carriers that were present at the battle.

Sole Survivor by artist, William J. Reynolds in 1981.


"Go And Get A Hit" by Artist Jim Griffiths


The Turning Point by artist, John Ficklen in 1988.


Douglas TBD-1 Devastator by artist, John Ficklen.


These prints are being made available directly from Estate of Ensign George H. Gay.