George Arthur Field

George A. Field, Arm3, Navy Radioman and his pilot Harold or Horace J. Ellison, Ensign, took off as part of  Torpedo Squadron 8 from the Island of Midway. Their mission was to engage the Japanese fleet in the start of the Battle of Midway. They failed to return and were killed in action and lost at sea. 

Source:findagrave Curated by G47. Accessed January 31, 2021. Thank you G47.

George Arthur Field was the son and only child of Frederick "Fred" Abiathar and his second wife, Fern Mae Thomas Lyons.

Frederick “Fred” Abiathar Field was a civil engineer who at times was employed by the railroads and then by power companies. His first wife was Mabel Gillespie whom he married on 17 Aug 1901. They were the parents of Henry D’Inuilliers and Fred Harvey Field. Mabel died unexpectedly on 30 January 1910. Fred then married Fern Mae Thomas Lyons in Buffalo, Erie, NY on 14 Jun 1914 [Other marriage records seem to indicate they married in Chautauqua County, NY]. By 1920, Fred and Fern had moved to Youngstown, OH where he was employed by the railroad. Later that year, George Arthur Field, the only child of Fred and Fern, was born in Williamsport, PA. Fred and Fern divorced about 1930. Several years later, she married Franklin Emil Smith. Together they raised her son George in Buffalo, NY.

George graduated from high school in Buffalo, NY about 1939. By April 1940, he was employed as a laborer at a local power plant where his step-father, Franklin Smith, also worked in the supervisor’s office. About six months later, George enlisted in the NY National Guard's 9th Battalion (Naval Militia) on 16 Oct 1940 in Buffalo, NY where he lived.

Several months later, George enlisted (with his mother's permission) on 22 Jan 1941 in the US Navy (NSN: 403-73-26) in Buffalo, NY as an Apprentice Seaman (A.S.). He completed basic training at the Naval Training Station, Newport, R.I., and transferred to the Naval Air Station (NAS), Jacksonville, FL on 30 April 1941 to begin trade school training as an Aviation Radioman. While at NAS Jacksonville, he was promoted to Seaman 2/c on 20 May 1941. He completed his aviation radioman training on 26 Aug 1941, and he then transferred to the NAS, Norfolk, VA for temporary duty. On 2 Sept 1941, Field was assigned to Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8) for duty. Prior to 4 Jun 1942 Field was promoted to Seaman 1/c followed by a promotion to Aviation Radioman Third Class (ARM3). VT-8 was assigned to the newly commissioned aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) in Norfolk, VA.

After several months of shakedown training in the Atlantic and 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. In early May, the Hornet and Enterprise were dispatched to the south Pacific to assist the USS Lexington and USS Yorktown during the battle of the Coral Sea. Unfortunately, the battle was over before the two aircraft carriers could reach the Coral Sea. 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, separated from the rest of the Air Group, found the enemy carriers and attacked. Headlong into the maelstrom without fighter protection, the 15 planes of VT-8 pressed their attack 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.

Petty Officer Field was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart Medal, Presidential Unit citation ribbon, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two battle stars, and the World War II Victory medal. He was declared missing in action on 04 Jun 1942 and presumed dead on 5 Jun 1943 along with his pilot, Ens Harold J. Ellison. Their remains were unrecoverable.
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Distinguished Flying Cross citation reads:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to George Arthur Field, Aviation Radioman Third Class, 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, attached to the U.S.S. HORNET, 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, Aviation Radioman Third Class Field 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 his 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 in honor of George from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It reads: In grateful memory of George Arthur Field 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
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Combat Action Ribbon (CR) note: Navy/Marine flight crews in the Battle of Midway or any aerial combat were NOT eligible for or were awarded the Combat Action Ribbon (CR). See Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual (SECNAVINST M-1650.1 of 16 Aug 2019, Appendix 2C.1.c (3) Amplifying Guidance). It reads in part, “The CR will not be awarded in connection with aerial flight, . . . “ The CR was established in 1969 and made retroactive to 07 Dec 1941. According to the Awards Manual, when deemed appropriate, the award for aerial combat was/is the Air Medal. Retro to 07 Dec 1941
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WWII Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualty List:

George Arthur Field, Aviation Radioman 3c, USN. Mother, Mrs Fern Mae Smith, 112 Jewett Ave., Buffalo, (New Address: 1935 2d Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL)