Richard died 28-10-2001 (aged 91), in Santa Monica, California, US. Wade McClusky were 14 TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bombers of Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6), 34 SBDs of VB-6 and VS-6, and ten F4F-4 Wildcat fighters of Fighting Squadron 6 (VF-6). [8]The last bomb, dropped by Best, punched through the flight deck and exploded in the upper hangar, in the middle of 18Nakajima B5N2planes, parked there. On May 28th, Enterprise and her sister ship, USS Hornet, left Pearl Harbor heading northwest, for Midway. Facebook gives people the power. After contact reports of Midway-based PBY Catalina patrol aircraft on the morning of June 4, 1942, Enterprise started to launch her air group starting on 07:06h. At dusk VB-6 attacked Japanese shipping off Kwajalein under his command; before noon he led eight SBDs from VB-6 and one from VS-6 to attack Taroa Island, Maloelap Atoll. Richard Halsey Best was born on March 24, 1910, in Bayonne, New Jersey, to Frank Ellsworth Best and Euretta L. Halsey. Both carriers then sped to the south, but were too late to take part in the Battle of the Coral Sea. The second bomb, dropped by Best, penetrated the flight deck and exploded in the upper hangar amongst 18 fuelled and armed Nakajima B5N2 aircraft. Stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, Best led his dive bomber squadron at the 1942 Battle of Midway, sinking two Japanese aircraft carriers in one day, before being medically retired that same year due to damage to his lungs caused by breathing bad oxygen during the battle. Best, flying further back, noticed that all the diver bombers were going after Kaga and not the second carrier, slightly further away. At this point, the attack became confused, as all 31 remaining Dauntlesses moved to attack Kaga. Bruno Gaido jumped into a parked SBD Dauntless aircraft and manned the rear machine gun. Richard Halsey Best was a dive bomber pilot and squadron commander in the United States Navy during World War II. Today, June 4th, in commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Midway, America owes an enormous debt of gratitude to a man few have ever heard of Lieutenant CommanderRichard Halsey Best. The next day Best began to cough up blood repeatedly. He completed his flight training in December 1935 and was assigned to Fighting Squadron Two (VF-2B) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-2), flying the Grumman F2F. Upon arrival at Naval Air Station North Island, California, on June 10, Best became Flight Officer (operations officer) of VB-6. 24-03-1910inBayonne, Hudson, New Jersey. His group was tasked with providing cover for Lieutenant Eugene E. Lindsey's torpedo bombers should they find the Japanese carriers. Upon graduation in 1932, he served on a cruiser before transferring to Pensacola to become a naval aviator. Richard H. Best was appointed to the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in 1928. He is married to Editor Colleen Halsey and has two beautiful daughters still at home, to be continued.. An alumnus of Hollywood High School, he won an Academy Award for Best Film Editing at the 49th Academy Awards for editing Rocky with Scott Conrad and has been nominated for one BAFTA and one Emmy Award. He was also in the orchestra with Ricky Nelson. He was 91. At dawn, he led VB-6's second division as part of a full-scale strike against *anese shipping off Kwajalein. At about 10:22, the Enterprise dive bombers (minus three that had dropped out with engine trouble) started to attack the two nearest *anese carriers, Kaga and Akagi. That is, except for the very expensive and realistic-looking explosions. view all Lt. Frederick Weber died 04-06-1942 (age 26) at sea, body never found. Frederick Thomas Weber, landed in the water, near the stern. 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. On May 31, 1940, Best received orders to join Bombing Squadron Six (VB-6), which was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. During the morning flight on June 4 flying at 20,000ft (6,100m) several VB-6 pilots had encountered difficulties with oxygen supply, so Best gave the order to reduce the altitude to 15,000ft (4,600m). The third bomb, dropped by Ensign Frederick Thomas Weber, exploded in the water near the stern, jamming Akagi's rudder. Over the next twenty-four hours, his hemoptysis (coughing up blood) continued. If the device containing this material were abnormally heated, it could release caustic soda fumes through the pilot's oxygen mask; consequently, Best had inhaled caustic fumes. However, on the morning flight Best had tested an oxygen bottle to be sure that it was not leaking caustic soda. The second bomb, aimed by Ens. At this point, the attack became confused, as all 34 Dauntlesses started to attack Kaga, and none the Akagi. Sometime in the past, Best had contracted latent tuberculosis, which remained in his lungs in an inactive state for years. After his retirement from the Navy, Best moved to Santa Monica, California, where he lived for the rest of his life. Half brother of Son Larason; Son Larason; Roger Larason and Son Larason. We all know the story. The three-plane CEAG section was expected to attack last, as their planes were equipped with cameras to assess the damage later. Keeping a carrier in the inventory of the Japanese fleet? At about 10:22 the Enterprise dive bombers started to attack two Japanese carriers, Kaga and Akagi. 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. Later that day, Best participated in the attack on the last remaining *anese carrier, Hiry, possibly scoring one of the four hits that sank her. He graduated in 1932 and then served aboard the USS Richmond (CL-9). A special wreath was placed next to the Midway Memorial by Rear Admiral Locklear and Commander Best. Upon arrival at the squadron's base on land, Naval Air Station North Island, California, on June 10, Best was made flight officer (operations officer) of the squadron, who was third-in-command. Only the Japanese carrier Hiryu remained. The wreck was found 3 miles (5 km) beneath the surface and was photographed. Doris died 06-12-1968 (age 54) in Los Angeles County, California, USA. What was historically accurate in the movie Pearl Harbor? In popular culture Best was portrayed in the 2019 film Midway by Ed Skrein. [1] Early career (1928-1941) [ edit] SBD-2s on Enterprise, April, 1942, Hornet in the background Richard H. Best was appointed to the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in 1928. Yes, the sailor portrayed by heartthrob Nick Jonas in the new Hollywood film Midway really existed. Both carriers and their sister ship USSYorktown(CV-5) were then recalled to counter a new Japanese threat at Midway Islands. Best's three SBDs launched their attack at 10:26am. A problem in theoxygen line of his Dauntless dive bomber caused health issues that had him in the hospital for 32 months. Believing that Japan was invincible in war, the Japanese planners made the fatal mistake of underrating American military capabilities and response. He died on October 28, 2001, at the age of 91, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Section 54 Site 3192. At about 10:22, the Enterprise dive bombers (minus three that had dropped out with engine trouble) started to attack the two nearest Japanese carriers, Kaga and Akagi. [19], Parshall and Tully, p. 239; Cressman, et al., p. 103, Last edited on 23 November 2022, at 21:11, "Bombing Six Action Report: 1 February 1942", Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway, "Navy.togetherweserved: Best, Richard H., LCDR", http://www.immf-midway.com/midway_itow_best.html, "Ed Skrein Wants Midway To Honor All Of The Men Who Fought In That Battle", Naval History and Heritage Command: LT. Richard H. Best of VB-6, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Richard_Halsey_Best&oldid=1123456779. Following his graduation he served for two years aboard the light cruiser USS Richmond (CL-9). 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. 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. Sometime in the past, Best had contracted latent tuberculosis, which remained in his lungs in an inactive state for years. The first bomb, dropped by Lieutenant(jg) Edwin John Kroeger, hit the water opposite the carrier's bridge. Best was married and had a daughter (Barbara Ann Llewellyn), a son (Richard Halsey Best II), a grandson, and a step-daughter (Amy Best). At about 10:22h the Enterprisedive bombers started to attack two Japanese carriers, which proved to be theKaga, and theAkagi. Date of birth. Richard Halsey Best was born on March 24, 1910 (died on October 28, 2001, he was 91 years old) in Bayonne, New Jersey. USS Enterprise flight deck 15 May 1942.jpg 1,025 694; 184 KB. 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.[1]. Did Japanese admiral go down with ship at Midway? [11], After his retirement from the Navy Best moved to Santa Monica, California, where he lived for the rest of his life. The scenes leading up to and featuring the pilots dogfights over the harbor are accurate, but the similarities seem to end there. However, the squadrons became separated and reached the *anese independently. Find out about Dickie Best & Ann Best Married, children, joint family tree & history, ancestors and ancestry. Stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Ente. The next day Best began to cough up blood repeatedly. Best was hospitalized in Fitzsimons Hospital until September 1943. . Only one pilot of the 29 crew- George Gay survived. How many veterans are alive from Pearl Harbor? Cressman, Robert J., and Wenger, J. Michael, Naval History and Heritage Command: LT. Richard H. Best of VB-6. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Lieutenant Best noticed the error and broke off with his two wingmen to attack the Akagi.[7]. 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). Best, a retired Security Manager at the Rand Corporation, died October 26, 2001, in Santa Monica, California. 2. Edward's son Burt Best, born in California in 1878 would later be the father of Richard H. Best. [13] References Hernandez, Daniel V. (with Lt. CDR Richard H. Best, USN Ret. Best was married and had a daughter (Barbara Ann Llewellyn), a son (Richard Halsey Best II), a grandson, and a step-daughter (Amy Best). On May 31, 1940, Best received orders to join Bombing Squadron Six (VB-6), which was assigned to the aircraft carrier USSEnterprise. 100 (approx.) He put in a request for a transfer to the Pacific Fleet in that capacity. Sometime in the past, Best had contracted latent tuberculosis, which remained in his lungs in an inactive state for years. Lieutenant Commander Best was interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 54/Lot 3192, resting in peace with the other heroes who have helped keep America safe. The Citation said "Defying extreme danger from concentrated anti-aircraft barrage and powerful fighter opposition, Lieutenant Commander Best, with bold determination and courageous zeal, led his squadron in dive-bombing *aults against *anese naval units. Geni requires JavaScript! Photos and Memories(1) After the war, he worked for the Douglas Aircraft company, the manufacturer of his dive bomber. He later joined the Rand corporation and eventuallyretired in California. They were the parents of at least 1 son. His grandparents were Richard James Best and Mary Ora Butler of New York, and William H. Halsey and Gusta Love of New Jersey. We wont know because Bests actions made the decision. Best was transferred from Pearl Harbor Hospital to Fitzsimons General Hospital in Aurora, Colorado, where he received proper treatment for his tuberculosis. Richard Halsey Best was married with Doris Avis, born Albro Best and had a daughter (Barbara Ann Llewellyn), 1937-2006, a son (Richard Halsey Best II), 1950-2017, a grandson, and a step-daughter (Amy Best). Upon arrival at Naval Air Station North Island, California, on June 10, Best became Flight Officer (operations officer) of VB-6. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. , start time: 1928-01-01T00:00:00Z Best was married to Doris Avis (Albrio) (19141968) and had a daughter, a son, a grandson, and a step-daughter. However, the squadrons became separated and reached the Japanese independently. He put in a request for a transfer to the Pacific Fleet in that capacity. At this point, the attack became confused, as all 31 remaining Dauntlesses moved to attack Kaga. On his own initiative, Best broke away with two wingmen to attack the second carrier, the Japanese flagship, Akagi. Trivia. Of VB-6, the crew of plane 6-B-3 was lost over Pearl Harbor. With the greatest industrial potential on earth, available to supply an inexhaustiblestream ofadvanced weapons,a plentiful supply of energy and huge cohort of young men, the US would systematically overwhelm the Axis, and did. On May 31, 1940, Best received orders to join Bombing Squadron Six (VB-6), which was *igned to the aircraft carrier USS:Enterprise. At this point, the attack became confused, as all 31 Dauntlesses started to attack Kaga, and none Akagi. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. However, evidently, McClusky was not aware of this, having been a fighter pilot until becoming CEAG. Halsey and Alev are parents!! This division became part of the Rand Corporation in December 1948, where Best headed the security department until his retirement in March 1975. [3] On December 10 two pilots of VB-6 would sink the Japanese submarine I-70at2345N15535W. What if Best had not decided to break off and attack Akagi? He gambled with the Pacific Fleets most precious resources, its threeaircraft carriers, in a bid to turn the tables on the Japanese Navy and change the course of the war. Birth Place: Bayonne, New Jersey Country: United States. Richard's Death Richard Halsey Best took his last breath at the age of 91 on 28th October 2001, in Santa Monica, California. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1928. 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. "[12] After the battle, Best was awarded the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross. 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