Edgar Rees Bassett

Ensign, United States Naval Reserve

Navy Cross, Purple Heart, & Air Medal w/one Gold Star

EDGAR REESE BASSETT was born on 10 Mar 1914 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA to Roland W. Bassett and Margaret Rees who married on 10 March 1912 in Camden, NJ. Edgar's only sibling was May Bassett (d.y.). Edgar attended Duke University in North Carolina. He completed two plus years of study. He was in his junior year when he withdrew. According to the 1940 Eastchester, NY federal census he had completed 2 years of college.*

Edgar enlisted in the Volunteer US Naval Reserve Flight Training Program (V-5) as a Seaman 2/c in 13 February 1940 in New York City. He completed his 30 day elimination flight training (later called pre-flight training) at the Naval Air Reserve Base, NY (Floyd Bennett Field) in mid-March. After completing that training he was discharged and sent home to await further orders. In early July, Bassett received orders from the Secretary of the Navy to report to the Commandant, Naval Air Station (NAS), Pensacola, FL before 28 July. Bassett accepted his orders to active duty for training and proceeded to Pensacola where he was discharged from enlisted status on 28 July 1940. He took the oath of office and accepted the appointment as an Aviation Cadet on 29 July 1940. He was assigned to Aviation Cadet Class 148-C. He began the two week indoctrination course on 12 Aug 1940. Bassett completed his primary flight training at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, FL in Mar 1941.

He transferred to NAS Miami in early April for specialized training related to aircraft carrier operations. He was designated a naval aviator (Heavier-than-Air) in May. Later that month, Bassett took the oat of office and accepted a commission as an Ensign, A-V(N), USNR on 20 May 1941 with a date of rank of 14 Feb 1941. He completed specialized, operational training at NAS Miami and detached in late May. He was granted a delay in reporting to his next duty station to count as leave. He reported to Fighter Squadron Forty Two (VF-42) on 09 Jun 1941 for duty.

Bassett was one of the more colorful "characters" among the fighter pilots of VF-42. Bassett, who earned the nickname “Red Dog,” for his prowess playing the game, was awarded air medals for his aggressive performance of duty during the Gilbert Island raids of 01 Feb 1942, and especially for his strafing gun emplacements and enemy barges during the raid on Lea-Salamaua, New Guinea, on 10 March 1942. He was also awarded the Navy Cross for "extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty" during the Battle of the Coral Sea between 4 and 8 May 1942. He shot down a Mitsubishi F1M2 float-plane ("Pete") over Tulagi during the Yorktown Air group attack on shipping there on 4 May and strafed the Japanese destroyer Yuzuki as it fled Tulagi harbor. On the morning of 7 May, he flew one of the fighters that protected Torpedo Squadron (VT) 5 in its attack on the Japanese carrier Shōhō. That same evening, Bassett helped to disperse a group of Japanese dive bombers and torpedo planes in the vicinity of the Yorktown task force. The following morning, he flew combat air patrol over Task Force 17 and assisted in the downing of one enemy plane during the attack on his carrier.

Less than a month later, Ensign Bassett was a pilot of F4F F-9, one of six Wildcat fighters from VF-3 (he was assigned to VF-42 but was temporarily attached to VF-3) that launched from the USS Yorktown (CV-5) on the morning of 04 Jun 1942 on what would become known as the Battle of Midway. These six aircraft were the protecting force for Torpedo Squadron Three (VT-3) as they sped toward the initial assaults on the Japanese Striking Force approaching Midway. As the Yorktown’s torpedo planes and six Wildcat escorting F4Fs approached the Japanese carriers, the Japanese combat air patrol (CAP) force numbering some forty two Zeros swarmed both the VT-3 torpedo planes and the VF-3 fighter escorts. Because of tactical considerations, the six fighters, led by Lcdr Jimmy Thach, were broken into two groups; one group of four aircraft and another group of two. Ensign Bassett, flying fighter F-9, occupying the trailing spot in Lcdr Thach's four plane formation, was attacked from below by two unseen Zero fighters. His plane took one well-place burst of machine gun fire. His plane was seen to fall smoking into the Pacific. Bassett never left his plane. His remains were unrecoverable. He was reported missing on 04 Jun 1942 and presumed dead on 05 Jun 1943.

Ensign Bassett was awarded the Navy Cross, Purple Heart (Posthumously), Air Medal with one Gold Star (second award), American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp (one bronze star in lieu of Fleet Clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Fleet Clasp and three bronze battle stars (one bronze star in lieu of fleet clasp), American Campaign Medal with Fleet Clasp (one bronze star in lieu of Fleet Clasp), and the World War II Victory Medal.

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Navy Cross Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Edgar Rees Bassett, Ensign, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FORTY-TWO, attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN, in action against Japanese forces during the period 4 to 8 May 1942. As a wingman in the division of fighters sent to protect our own aircraft bombing and torpedoing ships at Tulagi on 4 May, Ensign Bassett assisted his section leader in an attack on three enemy seaplanes and succeeded in shooting down one of them. Shortly following this action he participated in a strafing attack, pressed home in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire resulting in the setting afire and internal damaging of an enemy destroyer. On 7 May he piloted an airplane of the fighter escort for our Torpedo Planes in an attack on an enemy carrier in the Coral Sea. He assisted his section leader in driving off enemy fighter attacks on our Torpedo Planes in which action four enemy planes were shot down. This effective protection allowed our Torpedo Planes to launch torpedoes and return from their attack unharmed and resulted in the sinking of the enemy carrier. That evening he accompanied a group of our fighters which attacked and dispersed a formation of enemy scout planes and backed up his section leader in shooting down one enemy plane. On 8 May, in the Coral Sea, while pilot of a fighter in the combat air patrol, he engaged enemy fighters which appeared over our forces and assisted his section leader in their destruction. Ensign Bassett's outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander In Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 2050 (May 8, 1942)

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Altoona Tribune (Altoona, Pennsylvania) – 28 Sep 1950, Thu. – p. 1

Mother Receives Navy Award For Son Who Died In Battle

A gold star in lieu of a second Air Medal was awarded posthumously to Ensign Edgar Rees Bassett, USNR, at a brief ceremony in the Altoona Naval Reserve Training Center Tuesday night. His mother, Mrs. Margaret R Bassett, 326 Allegheny street, Hollidaysburg, received the award from Cmdr. Charles B. Carroll, USN, inspector-instructor at the center. Presentation

In presenting the citation and gold star, Cmdr. Carroll said; “It is a privilege, an honor, to act in behalf of the secretary of the navy in making this award. Your son, Mrs. Bassett, carried out the highest traditions of the navy.” The citation, signed by the late James Forrestal, then secretary of the navy, was as follows:

“For meritorious achievement in aerial flight as pilot of a Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron Forty-two, attached to the U.S.S. Yorktown, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific War Area from January 31 to March 11, 1942. Completing his fifth mission during this period, Ensign Bassett contributed materially to the success of his squadron despite hostile fire. His courage and gallant devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Born in Philadelphia in 1914, Ensign Bassett spent most of his life in Scarsville, (note: should read Scarsdale, NY) N.Y. He was a graduate of Duke University. Commissioned in 1939 he served at Floyd Bennett field, N.Y., Pensacola Naval Air Station, Miami, and Norfolk, before being assigned to the Yorktown as a fighter pilot. In addition to Midway he also participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea. His mother sponsored the USS Bassett, a destroyer escort, which was commissioned Jan. 15, 1944. Witnessing the presentation ceremony were Cmdr. John O. Prosser, USNR, Lt. Charles F. Botwright, battalion chief of staff, and Chief Yeoman Joseph Pigza.

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His family also received a scroll from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in commemoration of Ensign Edgar Rees Bassett. The citation reads: In grateful memory of Edgar R. BASSETT, who died in the service of his country at SEA, Pacific Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. Yorktown, 5 JUNE 1943 (Presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.

President of the United States

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USS Bassett was laid down as the Buckley-class destroyer escort USS Bassett (DE-672) on 28 November 1943 by the Consolidated Steel Corporation at Orange, Texas, and launched as such on 15 January 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Margaret Bassett, mother of the ship's namesake, Ensign Edgar R. Bassett. She was reclassified as a Charles Lawrence-class high-speed transport and redesignated APD-73 on 27 June 1944. After conversion to her new role, the ship was commissioned on 23 February 1945.

Service in the Pacific during WWII. Assisted in rescuing survivors from the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). She picked up 154 Indianapolis survivors and transported them to a fleet hospital.

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Combat Action Ribbon (CR) note:

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* Compiler's note: Several sources have written that Bassett was a Duke University graduate. According to Duke University’s 1934-1936 yearbooks, Edgar R. Bassett was a student in attendance. However, his expected graduation year of 1937 was devoid of his photo for that year’s yearbook. I reviewed the newspaper published graduation lists from Duke University for the years 1936-1938 and could not find an Edgar R. Bassett among the graduates. That doesn't mean he didn't graduate only that he wasn't on the graduate’s list for those years. I believe he dropped out of school prior to completing his junior year (1936). The 1940 census, however, confirms he completed two years of college which was required for him to enter the Volunteer US Naval Reserve Flight Training Program. It also recorded the Edgar Bassett was a "Flying Cadet" in the United States Navy with his residence at his parent’s home. In actuality, he was probably at either Naval Air Station (NAS), Pensacola, FL or more likely, at NAS, Miami undergoing training.

Some excerpts from USS Bassett (APD-73) bio at Navy History and Heritage command [26 Aug 2020] and Lundstrom, John B., 1984.The First Team; Pacific Naval Air Combat from Pearl Harbor to Midway.

[Bio #245 composed 7 Feb 2017 and updated 06 Nov 2022 by Gerry Lawton (G47)]

Find A Grave Memorial #56114854

Military Hall of Honor ID # 87870