Horace Franklin Dobbs

Chief Radioman (AA), United States Navy

Distinguished Flying Cross

Horace was the son of Marion Robert Dobbs and Edna May Wright who married about 1902 probably in Nebraska. Horace's siblings were Marion, Dudley (WWII vet) and Frances Dobbs. Horace married Velma Margaret Kieffer possibly as early as 1923 when her mother was recorded on the manifest of the S.S Calawaii when it arrived in Honolulu on 24 Jan 1923. I believe she was there to visit her only child who had possibly just been married. Horace and Velma had no children. After the death of Horace in the Battle of Midway Velma married Henry Ladomade. Velma died on 17 July 1987 in San Diego, CA.

Horace Franklin Dobbs enlisted in the US Navy prior to 9 Sept 1927 probably in Nebraska. On that date, he was listed on the manifest of the S.S. Ventura sailing from Pago Pago, Samoa as a sailor, US Navy. He arrived in San Francisco on 22 Sept 1927. His service particulars before 9 Sep 1927 are unknown. Chief Radioman ((CRM (AA)) Dobbs reported to the USS Astoria (V-CS-6) on 26 Jun 1934 probably as a RM2/c. He reenlisted in the US Navy (NSN:316-05-20) on 28 Oct 1938 in Long Beach, CA. A short time later, Dobbs was assigned to Commander Cruiser Scouting Squadron Six (ComCruScoron Six) at F.A.B. San Pedro, CA. Chief Dobbs was then assigned to the USS Astoria (CL-90) Aviation Unit of VCS-6. He reported for duty on 23 Sept 1939.

After a year plus with the Astoria, CRM (PA) Dobbs reported aboard the USS Minneapolis (CA-36) on 27 Jan 1941. A short time later, CRM (PA) Dobbs was assigned to temporary additional duty ashore at FAD, NAS, San Pedro, CA., with the Minneapolis' Aviation Unit. He reported back aboard the USS Minneapolis (CA-36) on 7 Aug 1941 from shore basing with Minneapolis' Aviation Unit. On 13 Oct 1941, Chief Dobbs was transferred from the USS Minneapolis to the newly commissioned aviation squadron, Torpedo Squadron Eight at Naval Air Station (NAS), Norfolk, VA.VT-8, commissioned on 2 Sep 1941, was assigned to the new aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) after her commissioning on 20 Oct 1941 in Norfolk, VA. Dobbs departed Pearl Harbor on 14 Oct 1941 via the transport ship USS Wharton (AP-7) which arrived in San Francisco on 20 Oct 1941.

After several months of shakedown training off the Virginia coast and in the Caribbean, the Hornet departed Norfolk, VA for the Pacific in March 1942 where she played a major role in the successful attack on Japan by Col Doolittle in April 1942. Late in May 1942, a large Japanese carrier force headed for the Midway Atoll. The Hornet, along with carriers Yorktown and Enterprise moved to intercept that force. Early in the morning of 4 Jun 1942, Hornet launched her air group of 59 planes to attack the Japanese carriers. VT-8 was the only Hornet Air Group squadron to find the enemy carriers. Without fighter protection, the 15 planes of the squadron pressed their attack toward their target through an onslaught of enemy fighter and anti-aircraft fire. One by one, the torpedo planes were sent hurtling into the sea. All 15 aircraft were shot down with the loss of 29 of the 30 aircrew. Lcdr John Waldron and his gunner, CRM Horace F. Dobbs., did not return. According to the Hornet's after action report dated 13 Jun 1942, Lcdr Waldron and CRM Dobbs were listed as "missing in action." In that report, Rear Admiral (Select) Mitscher, Hornet CO, nominated each member of Torpedo Eight who flew into battle on 4 Jun 1942 for the Congressional Medal of Honor. Chief Dobbs was declared missing in action on 04 Jun 1942, and he was presumed dead on 05 Jun 1943. His remains were unrecoverable.

Chief Dobbs was awarded (posthumously) the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart and the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one battle star, and the World War Two Victory Medal.

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

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Distinguished Flying Cross citation reads:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Chief Radioman Horace Franklin Dobbs, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight as radioman and free machine gunner of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), during an attack against enemy Japanese forces in the "Air Battle of Midway," on 4 June 1942. Grimly aware of the hazardous consequences of flying without fighter protection, and with insufficient fuel to return to his carrier, Chief Radioman Dobbs resolutely, and with no thought of his own life, pressed home his attack with utter disregard for his own personal safety and in the face of tremendous anti-aircraft barrage and overwhelming fighter opposition. His gallant spirit of self-sacrifice and his conscientious devotion to the fulfillment of a vastly important mission contributed materially to the success of our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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Torpedo Squadron Eight Presidential Unit Citation:

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.

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His family also received a commemoration from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It reads: In grateful memory of Horace Franklin Dobbs, who died in the service of his country, SEA, Pacific Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. HORNET, 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 of America

(*Presumed dead on 5 Jun 1943. Actual date gone missing was 4 Jun 1942.)

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6 Jun 1943 -

Horace Dobbs was the radioman for the skipper of the torpedo squadron 8, Lcdr John C. Waldron. The story published in Life magazine of August 31, 1942, from information given by Ensign Gay, sole survivor of the squadron, mentions radioman Dobbs. Dobbs’ mother, who was Edna Wright, daughter of the late Mrs. Delia Wright, was a resident of Beatrice who died about three months ago. According to Ensign Gay’s story, Radioman Dobbs was in the rear seat of Lcdr Waldron’s plane. Gay relates, “When the first U.S. plane plunged in to the water the Skipper, apparently forgetting to press his inter-cockpit communication button, was heard asking his radioman, Dobbs, in the rear sea (sic): ‘Was that a Zero?’ If Dobbs answered, his voice was not heard, but in any case, it was not a Zero. It was the first plane of the squadron to go down. The second U.S. plane went down. “Then the Skipper got it. His left gas tank hit, his plane literally burst into flames. The waves that had been lapping at his undercarriage claimed him and Radioman Dobbs. Dobbs, a veteran enlisted man, had been ordered back to San Diego to become a radio instructor for the duration, after this assignment. When Dobbs’ mother was in town to attend the funeral of her mother, she remarked to a friend: “I feel that this is a funeral for Horace also. I never expect to see him again.”