Nelson Leo Carr

Aviation Metalsmith Third Class United States Navy

Distinguished Flying Cross

Nelson Leo was the son of Leo Jewell Carr and Bessie C Stahl who were married on 4 Sep 1915 in Detroit, MI. Leo's siblings were Dorothy Virginia Carr Gillespie and David B. Carr.

After obtaining his father’s permission, Nelson Leo Carr (NSN:311 15 55), enlisted in the US Navy on 21 Jan 1936 in Detroit, MI as an Apprentice Seaman (A.S.). He was sent to the Naval Training Station (NTS), Great Lakes, IL for basic training. He reported on board the light cruiser USS Savannah (CL 42) on 10 Mar 1938 for duty. He was a Seaman 1/c on 30 Jun 1939. Seaman 1/c Carr was detached from the Savannah on 27 Nov 1939 and transferred to the Naval Receiving Station (NRS) in Philadelphia for his end of enlistment discharge (EE). He reported to the NRS, Philadelphia on 28 Dec 1939. The next day he was honorably discharged.

According to the 1940, US Federal Census Nelson was living with his parents at Grosse Pointe Farms, Wayne, MI. Aviation Metalsmith Third Class (AM3) Carr reenlisted in the Navy with a US Naval Reserve (USNR) V6 designation on 10 Feb 1942 in Detroit, MI. He was transferred to the NRS in Philadelphia and from there on 4 March 1942 to the NRS in Norfolk, VA for further transfer (FFT) to USS Hornet (CV-8) and Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8) for duty.

When Hornet sailed for the Pacific on 01 Mar 1942, she left a VT-8 detachment of 80 men in Norfolk to receive a shipment of 21 new Grumman TBF-1 torpedo bombers (These planes were later called Avengers, in response to avenging the debacle at Pearl Harbor with the great losses inflicted on the Japanese at Midway.) Carr reported to this detachment for duty.

The detachment received factory training on aircraft maintenance and upkeep as well as flight familiarization. Training completed, the detachment raced across the country attempting to catch up to their shipmates on board Hornet. On 21 May 1942, Carr reported on board as a passenger the aircraft transport USS Hammondsport (AKV-2) steaming to Hawaii from San Francisco with other members of the VT-8 detachment. Unfortunately, they arrived in Pearl Harbor a day after Hornet had sailed.

However, CINCPAC called for volunteers to fly six of the their new torpedo planes to Midway to bolster its meager Army/Navy/Marine Corps air force already there anticipating an imminent attack by Japanese naval forces. On 01 Jun 1942, six TBF-1s departed Pearl Harbor for what would become at the time the longest open ocean transit by Navy aircraft; over 1200 miles to reach Midway. Eighteen pilots and crew, 3 men per aircraft, had just about enough time to ready their planes before the Japanese attack began.

In the early morning hours of 4 Jun 1942 as the air raid sirens on Midway blared, the six Grumman TBF-1 aircraft roared into the predawn skies toward the Japanese carrier fleet that had been detected. Without covering fighter protection, the TBFs pressed home their torpedo attack, but were quickly overwhelmed by Japanese fighters. Five of the six TBF's were shot down. Petty Officer Carr was a flight crewman with EM3/c John W Mehltretter and pilot Ens Victor A Lewis. They did not return from their mission. Their remains were unrecoverable. They were listed as missing in action on 04 Jun 1942 and presumed dead on 05 Jun 1943.

Aviation Metalsmith Third Class, U.S. Navy Reserve Nelson Leo Carr was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, The Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, American Defense Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one battle star, and the World War II Victory Medal.

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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Aviation Metalsmith Third Class Nelson Leo Carr, United States Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as free machine gunner of a Torpedo Plane in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway, 4 and 5 June 1942. In the initial attack upon an enemy aircraft carrier, Aviation Metalsmith Third Class Carr, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, effectively manned his machine gun in the face of a tremendous barrage of fire from numerous Japanese fighter planes and anti-aircraft batteries. His courageous determination and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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The Torpedo Squadron Eight Presidential Unit Citation reads: For extremely heroic and courageous performance in combat during the “Air Battle of Midway,” June 4, 1942. Flying low without fighter support, Torpedo Squadron EIGHT began the perilous mission, Intercept and attack! First to sight the enemy, the squadron attacked with full striking power against crushing enemy opposition, scoring torpedo hits on Japanese forces. Realizing to a man that insufficient fuel would prevent a return to the carrier, the pilots held doggedly to the target, dropping torpedoes at point-blank range in the face of blasting antiaircraft fire that sent the planes one by one, hurtling aflame in the sea. The loss of 29 lives, typifying valor, loyalty, and determination, was the price paid for Torpedo Squadron EIGHTs vital contribution to the eventual success of our forces in this epic battle of the air.

Compiler's note: The 29 lives lost does not include the 16 lives lost in the five TBF-1 planes of VT-8 that were on Midway. Torpedo Eight lost 45 air crew on 4 Jun 1942. Three were volunteers from other squadrons.

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His family also received a scroll from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in commemoration of Petty Officer Carr. The citation reads: In grateful memory of Nelson Leo Carr, who died in the service of his country, MIDWAY, 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.

(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,

President of the United States

Compiler's note: *Presumed dead on 5 Jun 1943. Actual date gone missing was 4 Jun 1942.

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Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) note:

None of the flight crews in the Battle of Midway were eligible for or awarded the Combat Action Ribbon (CR). See Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual (SECNAVINST 1650.1H of Aug 22, 2006, Chapter 2, Section 3, p2-34). It reads in part, “The CR will not be awarded to personnel for Aerial Combat, . . . “

[Bio compiled by GML470]