By early 1942, after the war in the Pacific had begun, he had advanced to executive officer (XO), a standard navy term for second-in-command, under his close friend and USNA classmate, William Hollingsworth, known as "Holly," as commander. Survived by his daughter Barbara Ann Llewellyn (Lynn Gersham); son Richard Halsey Best II (Veronica Rene) and. However, the strike found nothing, and Best's group returned to Enterprise without incident, although he later called the resulting night landing "the worstof [his] 330 carrier landings. Trivia. They were the parents of at least 1 son. Best wrote the preface to the manual of Battlehawks 1942 flight simulation video game released in 1988 by LucasFilm Games. What was historically accurate in the movie Pearl Harbor? A dive bomber pilot and squadron commander of Bomber Squadron 6 (VB-6), Air Group Commander Lieutenant Commander Wade McClusky. The Japanese bomber barely missed the flight deck, its wingtip cut the tail off Gaidos Dauntless, and spun the parked aircraft. WithUS intelligence having broken the Japanese naval code, Nimitz knew that the Japanese were about to launch a massive attack Midway, down to the number of ships, likely position and time of attack. After discharge from the hospital, Best worked in a small research division of the Douglas Aircraft Corporation. Doris died 06-12-1968 (age 54) in Los Angeles County, California, USA. He retired in 1944, never having flown a combat mission again. 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. The first bomb missed, exploding forward and to port of the Japanese carrier. Richard Halsey Best (March 24, 1910 November 1, 2001) was a dive bomber pilot and squadron commander in the United States Navy during World War II. As the leading squadron dove past him, Best realized what was happening and broke off to attack Akagi. Edward's son Burt Best, born in California in 1878 would later be the father of Richard H. Best. The last bomb, dropped by Best, punched though the flight deck and exploded in the upper hangar, in the middle of 18 Nakajima B5N2 planes parked there. He married Mrs Katherine Cooke in 1473. In June 1938, Best was given the choice to either join a patrol squadron at Panama or Hawaii, or become a flight instructor at Pensacola: he chose Pensacola, and was assigned to instruct Training Squadron Five. This was that VB-6 would attack the nearer carrier (in that case Kaga) and VS-6 the one further away (here Akagi). She passed away in 1968. At this point, the attack became confused, as all 31 remaining Dauntlesses moved to attack Kaga. Southeast Asia, including Singapore had been overrun by Imperial forces. Best was married and had a daughter - Barbara Ann Llewellyn and a son - Richard Halsey Best II. His first *ignment was Fighting Squadron Two (VF-2B) aboard the aircraft carrier USS:Lexington, flying the Grumman F2F. The flight surgeon found out that the gas fumes had activated latent tuberculosis. Son of George Burton "Burt" Best and Lillian Ethel Best The oxygen rebreather of Best's SBD had become heated during the unusually long search on the morning mission on June 4. Best was hospitalized in Fitzsimons Hospital until September 1943. Richard Halsey Best (March 24, 1910 October 28, 2001) was a dive bomber pilot and squadron commander in the United States Navy during World War II. 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 07:06. Howard L. Young, 12 planes of Scouting Squadron Six (VS-6) and five from VB-6, Best not being among them. [14] According to Stephen L. Moore, Best may have been "the first pilot to successfully bomb two Japanese carriers in one day". 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). 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. 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, [1] also being nominated for one BAFTA and one Emmy Award. 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. 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. On May 31, 1940, Best received orders to join Bombing Squadron Six (VB-6) aboard the aircraft carrier USSEnterprise(CV-6). EnterpriseandHornet left Pearl Harbor on May 28, the hastily repaired Yorktown two days later to take part in what became known as Battle of Midway, from 4 to June 6, 1942. ): SBD-3 Dauntless and the Battle of Midway. [4], Best himself saw his first action on February 1, 1942. Best was married and had a daughter (Barbara Ann Llewellyn), a son (Richard Halsey Best II), a grandson, and a step-daughter (Amy Best). His grandparents were Richard James Best and Mary Ora Butler of New York, and William H. Halsey and Gusta Love of New Jersey. At 10:26 Best's three SBDs attacked Akagi. Genealogy profile for Richard Halsey Richard Halsey (b. 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. In the rearview mirror, history appears orderly and predictable. His gallant intrepidity and loyal devotion to duty contributed greatly to the success of our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service". June 4, 1942, was the last day Best flew for the U.S. Navy. After these raids Enterprise returned to Pearl Harbor and accompanied USS Hornet during the Doolittle Raid in mid-April. After contact reports of Midway-based PBY Catalina patrol aircraft on the morning of 04-06-1942, Enterprise started to launch her air group starting on 07:06h. Back in Pearl Harbor, Best was examined by the flight surgeon. Not only were Japanese aircraft superior to those oftheir Western rivals, the quality of Japans naval air personnel stunned the American naval command. Halsey was captured in a cropped baby blue cardigan and high-waisted black leggings while . This was that VB-6 would attack the nearer carrier (in that case Kaga) and VS-6 the one further away (hereAkagi). 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. A special wreath was placed next to the Midway Memorial by Rear Admiral Locklear and Commander Best. After the battle, Best was awarded the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Bombing Squadron Six pilots Jan 1942.jpg 600 480; 43 KB. Yes, the sailor portrayed by heartthrob Nick Jonas in the new Hollywood film Midway really existed. Frederick Weber died 04-06-1942 (age 26) at sea, body never found. Both carriers and their sister ship USS Yorktown(CV-5)were then recalled to counter a new Japanese threat at Midway Islands. The next day Best began to cough up blood repeatedly. Ricky played clarinet and Richard played oboe - not very well. It was also my first time playing a soldier, so all that was really important showing the bravery but also the scared timidness of some of these soldiers. USS Enterprise flight deck 15 May 1942.jpg 1,025 694; 184 KB. 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. At this point, the attack became confused, as all 31 Dauntlesses started to attack Kaga, and none Akagi. Section 54 Site 3192. Sometime in the past, Best had contracted latent tuberculosis, which remained in his lungs in an inactive state for years. Despite some of the Hollywood aspects, this is still the most realistic movie about naval combat ever made, commented retired Navy Rear Adm. The force wave of that hit jammed the Akagis rudder. After undergoing 32 months of treatment, Richard Best retired from the US Navy in 1944. In June 1938, he was given the choice to either join a patrol squadron at Panama or Hawaii or become a flight instructor at Pensacola. The first bomb, dropped by Lieutenant Edwin John Kroeger, missed. Best chose to go to Pensacola and was assigned to Training Squadron Five, which trained carrier aviation, aerobatics, aerial combat and gunnery, dive-bombing, torpedo dropping, formation flying, and instrument flying. On December 7, 1941, Best was aboard Enterprise awaiting her return to port when he learned (along with most of VB-6) that several of his squadmates on morning search had flown into the *anese attack on Pearl Harbor. Despite the advantages of position and surprise, the battle did not start well for the Americans. and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 54 Site 3192. Best landed one of the four 1,000 pound bombs that ended the Hiryu, and Japanese hopes for the Battle of Midway. Editor: Rocky. He put in a request for a transfer to the Pacific Fleet in that capacity. Some 60 pictures later he continues to live in the Hollywood Hills and edit films. While US scout planes had located the Japanese fleet, American inexperience in coordinated carrier operations was readily apparent. Following his graduation he served for two years aboard the light cruiser USSRichmond(CL-9). 24-03-1910inBayonne, Hudson, New Jersey. 28-10-2001 (aged 91), in Santa Monica, California, US. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. 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. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. That is, except for the very expensive and realistic-looking explosions. After discharge from the hospital, Best worked in a small research division of the Douglas Aircraft Corporation. Richard H. Best was born in New Jersey in 1910. Following his graduation he served for two years aboard the light cruiser USS Richmond (CL-9). Father of Richard Halsey Best, II and Barbara Ann Liewellin, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Halsey_Best. However, most of VB-6 missed his signal to abort and continued their dives on Kaga. Before noon, he led eight SBDs from VB-6 and one from VS-6 to attack Taroa Island, Maloelap Atoll, a mission that would cost him one plane. 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). Yamaguchis carrier force was part of the attack on Pearl Harbor. However, the squadrons became separated and reached the Japanese independently. The second exploded right behind the carrier, with the concussion damaging the ships rudder. However, on the morning flight Best had tested an oxygen bottle to be sure that it was not leaking caustic soda. Musician Joe Henry, who is married to Madonna's sister Melanie Ciccone, was the first to announce the news in a heartbreaking Instagram post. Note her natural wood flight deck stain and dark Measure One camouflage paint scheme. Of course the Americans won the Revolution and, of coursethe Union won the Civil War. At about 06:15 the carrier launched 18 SBDs to search ahead of the carrier, the Commander of the Enterprise Air Group, LtCdr. Richard Halsey Best (March 24, 1910 October 28, 2001) was a dive bomber pilot and squadron commander in the United States Navy during World War II. After his retirement from the navy, Best moved to Santa Monica, California, where he lived for the rest of his life. His grandfather Edward Best emigrated to the United States from England in the 1800s, living first in Wisconsin where he mustered into "F" Company of the 13th Wisconsin Infantry during the American Civil War, and later moving to California and then Oregon in his old age. Famously, Hornets torpedo squadron 8 (VT-8) only found the Japanesefleet through the intuition of their commander, John Waldron. Obviously, Best expected to attack according to the U.S. dive bomber doctrine. On December 7, 1941, Best was a carrier pilot aboard the USS Enterprise, which through luck or fate, was not in Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack. At about 10:22h the Enterprise dive bombers started to attack two Japanese carriers, which proved to be the Kaga, and the Akagi. On February 24, 1942, Best took part in the attack of Wake Island by the Enterprise Air Group, and on March 4 Marcus Island was attacked. After contact reports from Midway-based PBY Catalina patrol aircraft on the morning of June 4, 1942, Enterprise started to launch her air group starting at 07:06. At 10:26h Bests three SBDs attacked theAkagi. In the late afternoon of 6 June, the Japanese submarine I-168 fired a salvo of torpedoes, two of which struck Yorktown, and a third sinking the destroyer USS Hammann, which had been providing auxiliary power to Yorktown. After these raids Enterprise returned to Pearl Harbor and accompanied USSHornet during the Doolittle Raid in mid-April. None inflicted any damage on the Japanese carriers. It was Bests 1,000 pound bomb that hit the carrier almost perfectly in the center of the ship, just behind the middle elevator. Only the dive bombers stayed together and reached the *anese by 09:55. Norman Kleiss Norman Jack Kleiss Service/branch United States Navy Years of service 19381962 Rank Captain Battles/wars World War II Battle of Midway. At about 10:22h the Enterprisedive bombers started to attack two Japanese carriers, which proved to be theKaga, and theAkagi. In 1934 he was transferred to the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, as a naval aviation student. Manage Settings After discharge from the hospital, Best worked in a small research division of the Douglas Aircraft Corporation. 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. He graduated in 1932 and then served aboard the USS Richmond (CL-9). His grandfather Edward Best emigrated to the United States from England in the 1800s, living first in Wisconsin where he mustered into "F" Company of the 13th Wisconsin Infantry during the American Civil War, and later moving to California and then Oregon in his old age. Once you learn that the rest is up to your own personal creativity.Richard then became an editor on Peyton Place at the age of 28 and moved into feature editing, winning the Oscar for Rocky at the age of 36. Back in Pearl Harbor, Best was examined by the flight surgeon. 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. He was also in the orchestra with Ricky Nelson. Having graduated with honors in 1932, he served for two years aboard the light cruiser USSRichmond. The flight deck was stained blue in July 1941, during camouflage experiments that gave her a unique deck stripe pattern. 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