Ken Cutter and George Gay - 1944

A great photo of hubby's Uncle Ken Cutter and Lt. Gay, former plane captain Torpedo Squadron Eight in Ready Room. This official U.S. Navy Photograph was taken in Miami, FL August 16, 1944.

Could these men be the crew of the USS Hornet?

We need help!! This souvenir photo was taken from Sherman's State and C Streets Dine and Dance, San Diego, CA by Claud's West Coast Photography, December 9, 1942. Uncle Ken Cutter is first row left. We'd love to be able to identify the other Navy crew. The man on top right is in another photo with Ken. That photo taken at Paris Inn, Dine and Dance, n.w. corner First Avenue and C Street, San Diego, CA. Photo #34855. We think they may all be aviation machinist mates.

Kenneth Cutter and George Gay reunite after Battle of the Midway

My husband recently acquired newspaper clippings and photos of his Uncle Kenneth Cutter’s World War II military service. The article shows Aviation Machinist Mate First Class Kenneth Cutter (at right) with Lt. George Gay. Although the news reported there were no survivors on the USS Hornet at the Battle of Midway, they were wrong. George Gay survived. From Ian W. Toll’s book Pacific Crucible; War at Seat in the Pacific, 1941-1942, he writes: “Ensign George Gay, lone survivor of Torpedo Eight, treaded water in the midst of the Japanese task force. He concealed his head under a float cushion whenever a ship came near, and rejoiced as he watched the enemy carriers burn.” The Squadron received the only Presidential Unit Citation ever given.

Mecklenburg County, Virginia Genealogy

One of my genealogy colleagues has a wonderful website with much of her research in Mecklenburg County. She is in the process of writing a monograph on the Newman family line. Check her website, Julie's Mecklenburg, Virginia Discoveries and search surnames, photos of people and places, African-American resources, Chancery records, churches, plats and land notes, oral histories and interviews, and more. Her Website is: https://mecklenburgvagenealogy.com