Showing posts with label USS Hornet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USS Hornet. Show all posts

Sunday, August 23, 2020

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.