Delbert W. Halsey
Delbert W. Halsey (1919–1942) was a United States Navy officer who received the Navy Cross posthumously for his actions in combat during World War II.
Delbert Wayne Halsey | |
|---|---|
 Ensign Delbert W. Halsey is standing fifth from right in this photograph of pilots of Bombing Squadron 6 in front of an SBD Dauntless dive bomber aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) in January 1942 | |
| Born | December 8, 1919 Baker, Montana |
| Died | June 4, 1942 (aged 22) Pacific Ocean, near Midway Atoll |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1940–1942 |
| Rank | Ensign |
| Unit | Bombing Squadron 6 |
| Battles/wars | World War II *February 1, 1942 raid on Marshall Islands *February 25, 1942 raid on Wake Island *Battle of Midway |
| Awards | Navy Cross, Air Medal |
Naval career
Delbert Wayne Halsey was born in Baker, Montana, on December 8, 1919. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on December 9, 1940, and was appointed Aviation Cadet on March 6, 1941, training at Naval Air Station Pensacola at Pensacola, Florida, and at Naval Air Station Miami at Miami, Florida.
Appointed Ensign, United States Naval Reserve, on September 25, 1941, he reported to Bombing Squadron 6 on board aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6), piloting Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers. He participated in the aerial attack against the Japanese-held Marshall Islands on February 1, 1942, during which he earned the Air Medal.
On February 25, 1942, Halsey participated in a raid on Wake Island, during which he pursued and attacked an airborne Japanese four-engine flying boat. When the flying boat accelerated and began to outrun his dive bomber, he reported it to nearby F4F Wildcat fighters, which were able to shoot it down.[1]
Halsey was lost in action on June 4, 1942, in the Battle of Midway. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism and service at Midway.
Commemoration
The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Delbert W. Halsey (DE-310), launched in 1944 but never completed, was named for Ensign Halsey.
Notes
- Stafford, pp. 66-67.
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
- USN Combat Narrative: Early Raids in the Pacific Ocean
- United States Navy Memorial: Ship's Tribute: USS Enterprise (CV-6) Lost At Sea Log 6/4/1942
- Stafford, Edward P. The Big E: The Story of the USS Enterprise. 1957.